X  J  _ 


h 


2  -^ 


c4iH 


THE 


SIGNS   OF   THETIM  Eg?  *^"^^ 


►         ^  -,  ^r/^ 


SERIES  OF  DISCOURSES 


DELIVERED   IN   THE 


SECOND  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH,  PHILADELPHIA. 


CORNELIUS  C.   CUYLER,  D.  D. 


PASTOR    OF    THE    CHURCH. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

WILLIAM   S.   MARTIEN. 

1839. 


Entered  according  to  the  act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1839,  by 
WILLIAM  S.  MARTIEN,  in  the  office  of  the  Clerk  of  the  District 
Court,  for  the  Eastern  District  of  Pennsylvania. 


THE 
FOLLOWING    DISCOURSES, 

PREPARED  FOR  THEIR  INSTRUCTION, 
ARK 

AFFECTIONATELY    INSCRIBED 

TO 

THE   CONGREGATION 

OF    THE 

SECOND  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH, 
PHILADELPHIA, 

BY 

THEIR  AFFECTIONATE  FRIEND  AND  PASTOR, 

THE  AUTHOR. 


PREFACE. 

The  most  of  the  following  discourses  were  ori- 
ginally neither  designed  nor  prepared  with  a 
view  to  their  publication.  The  afternoon  of 
the  first  Sabbath  in  every  month  is  devoted  by 
the  author  to  the  Catechetical  instruction  of 
the  children  and  youth  of  his  charge.  This 
has  given  occasion  to  a  public  service  on  the 
evening  of  the  same  day.  These  services 
were  generally  attended  by  large  and  mixed 
audiences.  It  became  a  matter  of  considera- 
ble importance  to  supply  such  audiences  with 
instruction  which  should,  at  the  same  time, 
command  their  attention,  and  prove  profitable 
to  them.  A  large  proportion  of  them  con- 
sisted of  young  men,  who  had  either  just  en- 
tered upon  the  active  concerns  of  life,  or  who 
were  preparing  for  them.     Several  courses  of 

1 


PREF A  CE 


instruction  were  taken  into  consideration,  and 
it  was  finally  concluded  that  the  aspects  of  Di- 
vine Providence  were  such  as  to  afford  many 
lessons  which  might  be  taught  and  enforced 
with  profit. 

This  conviction  was  confirmed  by  the  con- 
sideration, that  although  the  dispensations  of 
Divine  Providence  are  often  deeply  interesting 
and  highly  instructive,  they  are  seldom  taken 
up  and  considered  in  order — and  thus  the  ad- 
vantages which  might  be  derived  from  them 
are  lost,  because  they  have  not  been  expounded 
and  enforced.  Even  those  which  concern  us 
as  individuals,  are  soon  forgotten,  unless  atten- 
tion is  from  time  to  time  directed  to  them,  or 
the  general  principles  of  the  Divine  administra- 
tion are  so  infixed  in  the  mind  as  to  identify 
the  presence  and  government  of  God  with 
every  movement. 

It  was  also  thought  that  as  the  latter  days 
approach,  the  aspects  of  the  Divine  adminis- 
tration might  be  expected  to  become  more  in- 
teresting and  important,  especially  towards  a 
country   whose    whole    history   has    been    so 


PR  EF  ACE.  S 

strikingly  marked  in  every  stage  of  it,  and 
whose  institutions  and  character  are  calculated 
to  exercise,  nay,  have  already  exercised,  so  im- 
portant an  influence  on  the  world.  Tliere  was 
probably  no  mistake  in  attributing  a  special 
character  to  "the  signs  of  the  times,"  with 
respect  to  this  land.  And  if  this  be  so,  they 
are  certainly  illustrative  of  our  character  and 
duty  as  a  nation.  Such  a  child  of  Providence 
should  have  its  eyes  directed  to  the  Father's 
hand.  We  are  bound  to  observe,  study,  and 
improve  "  the  signs  of  the  times."  They  are 
neither  too  dark  to  be  observed,  too  abstruse 
to  be  studied,  nor  too  unimportant  to  be  im- 
proved. A  way-faring  man,  though  a  fool, 
need  not  err.  This  impression  has  induced 
the  choice  of  the  general  subject,  and  the  par- 
ticular topics  which  have  been  discussed,  illus- 
trated, and  enforced,  under  it. 

These  discourses  were  prepared  and  deliver- 
ed with  a  view  to  usefulness.  They  are  pub- 
Ushed  at  the  desire  of  many  who  heard  them, 
and  by  the  advice  of  a  few  friends,  in  whose 
judgment    the   author   had    great    confidence. 


4  PREFACE. 

They  are  now  submitted  to  the  public  with 
great  diffidence,  and  under  a  deep  conviction 
that  their  usefulness  is  entirely  dependent  upon 
the  sanctifying  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 
That  He  may  be  present  with  every  reader,  is 
the  sincere  and  fervent  prayer  of 

THE  AUTHOR. 
Philadelphia,  June,  1839. 


CONTENTS. 

Page 

Introduction, 7 

LECTURE  I. 
Missions, 13 

LECTURE  II. 
Education, 37 

LECTURE  III. 
Recklessness  of  Human  Life, 63 

LECTURE  IV. 
God's  Frowns  against  Covetousness, 87 

LECTURE  V. 
Revivals  of  Religion, 109 

LECTURE  VI. 
Corruption  of  Doctrine, 137 

LECTURE  VII, 

Effects  of  Corruption  in  Doctrine, 163 

LECTURE  VIII. 
Spirit  of  Fanaticism, 190 

LECTURE  IX. 

Slavery, 215 

1* 


LECTURE  X. 
Spirit  of  Lawlessness, 


CONTENTS. 

Page 


LECTURE  XL 
Dealings  of  Providence, 265 

LECTURE  XII. 

Duty  of  the  Ministry, 294 


%.THEOi.OGlGiiIi/ 


INTRODUCTION. 

Having  perused,  in  manuscript,  a  number  of 
the  "discourses"  which  compose  the  present 
volume,  and  advised  the  author  to  pubhsh  them, 
let  me  hope  for  the  reader's  indulgence,  while  I 
very  briefly  assign  the  reasons  for  the  counsel 
which  I  gave. 

In  the  first  place,  the  subject  of  these  dis- 
courses is  vastly  momentous.  The  title  of  the 
publication  itself,  refers  to  an  interrogatory  of 
our  Saviour,  carrying  with  it  a  most  severe 
censure  of  those  who  were  criminally  blind  to 
the  duty  which  his  question  indicated.  In  the 
preaching  of  the  Gospel,  the  noticeable  pecu- 
liarities and  import  of  Divine  Providence  ought 
ever  to  claim  the  special  attention  of  the  faith- 
ful pastor.  We  learn  from  the  revelation 
which  God  has  given  us,  that  it  is  his  purpose 
and  plan,  to  teach  by  his  Providence  as  well  as 
by  his  Word.  The  two,  indeed,  are  often  the 
best  and  most  striking  proof  and  illustration  of 
each  other.  Discourses,  moreover,  which  refer 
to  events  actually  passing,  or  that  have  recent- 
ly passed,  under  our  own  observation,  are,  if 


8  INTRODUCTION. 

well  conducted,  uncommonly  interesting,  and 
impart  instruction  and  admonition,  which  come 
home,  with  peculiar  force,  to  "  men's  business 
and  bosoms." 

Again:  It  appeared  to  me,  on  the  perusal 
of  the  discourses  which  my  friend  submitted  to 
my  inspection,  that  he  had  listened  to  the  voice 
of  God's  providence,  and  understood  its  true 
import,  in  many  occurrences  in  which  nothing 
of  the  kind  strikes  the  ear  of  the  multitude, 
and  to  which  many,  even  of  the  pious,  are  too 
inattentive,  or,  from  which  they  receive  only 
some  fugitive  impressions.  If  we  accredit  the 
Gospel,  we  must  believe,  that  a  sparrow  falleth 
not  to  the  ground,  nor  a  hair  from  our  head, 
without  the  notice  and  ordering  of  our  Hea- 
venly Father;  and  these  truths  are,  we  know, 
accompanied  by  the  declaration,  "  Ye  are  of 
more  value  than  many  sparrows."  Thus  are 
we  emphatically  taught,  that  the  hand  of  God 
has  an  immediate  direction  or  control  of  all  the 
events  which  affect,  not  only  individuals,  but 
communities  of  men.  It  follows,  that  nations 
rise  or  fall,  experience  prosperity  or  adversity, 
witness  propitious  or  adverse  seasons,  escape  or 
suffer  from,  wasting  disease,  from  earthquakes, 
tornadoes,  inundations,  tempests,  conflagrations, 
noxious  insects  or  reptiles;  are  favoured  or 
frowned  on,  in  their  agricultural,  manufactur- 


INTRODUCTION.  9 

ing,  and  commercial  interests,  and  in  the  con- 
sequent abundance  or  scarcity  of  the  means  of 
subsistence;  are  blest  with  peace  or  embroiled 
in  war;  see  virtue  and  piety  prevail,  with  their 
countless  attendant  blessings,  or  are  afflicted 
with  the  prevalence  of  vice,  of  infidelity,  blas- 
phemy, neglect,  and  contempt  of  divine  institu- 
tions, of  avarice,  intemperance,  domestic  broils, 
homicides,  murders,  assassinations,  and  duels — 
all  according  to  the  permission,  or  ordaining 
will,  of  Him,  "  who  doth  according  to  his  will 
in  the  army  of  heaven,  and  among  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  earth;  and  none  can  stay  his 
hand,  or  say  unto  him,  what  doest  thou?" 
How  immensely  important  is  it?  how  exactly 
coincident  with  the  design  of  God,  in  the  vari- 
ous dispensations  just  hinted  at,  that  their  cha- 
racter and  language  should  be  heedfully  regard- 
ed by  the  subjects  of  his  moral  government? 
And  who,  it  may  be  asked,  are  specially  bound 
to  put  a  tongue  into  these  dispensations?  The 
ministers  of  religion,  beyond  a  question,  must 
be  the  answer.  Their  imperative  duty  it  mani- 
festly is,  to  call  the  attention  of  the  people  of 
their  charge,  and,  so  far  as  they  can,  of  the 
public  generally,  to  the  improvement  which  the 
God  of  Providence  requires  all  to  make,  of  the 
events  which  he  causes  to  pass  before  them. 
Believing  that  this  had  been  done  by  the  au- 


10  INTRODUCTION. 

thor  of  the  sermons  which  fill  this  volume,  I 
advised  to  their  publication;  not  only  that  his 
own  people  might  have  the  advantage  of  re- 
veiwing,  at  their  leisure,  what  they  had  heard 
from  the  hps  of  their  pastor,  but,  that  others 
might  be  sharers  in  the  benefit. 

Finally:  It  is  believed,  that  the  author  of 
these  discourses  has  not  only  been  fortunate  in 
the  selection  of  his  subjects,  but  happy  in  the 
manner  in  which  he  has  discussed  them.  The 
portion  of  narrative  which  he  has  naturally, 
and,  indeed,  necessarily  introduced,  is  at  once 
adapted  to  awaken  and  fix  attention,  and  to 
form  the  basis  of  the  doctrines,  inferences,  and 
illustrations  which  follow;  and,  although  a  well 
instructed  Christian,  in  reading  as  well  as  in 
hearing  pulpit  addresses,  will  commonly  look 
for  edification,  more  from  the  revival  and  re- 
newed impression  of  known  truth,  than  from 
learning  something  which,  to  him,  is  entirely 
novel;  yet  there  may  be,  not  only  a  real  no- 
velty in  the  manner  in  which  familiar  truth  is 
presented,  but  there  are  some  truths  and  sub- 
jects of  a  religious  character,  and  of  a  practi- 
cal and  profitable  kind,  which  lie  so  much  out 
of  the  tract  of  common  thought  and  discus- 
sion, that,  when  skilfully  handled,  will  suggest 
ideas  strictly  new^  to  many  who  can  by  no 
means  be  justly  considered  as  novices  in  Chris- 


INTRODUCTION.  11 

tian  attainment.  To  this  class  of  compositions, 
to  a  considerable  extent,  it  appeared  to  me,  the 
discourses,  now  in  the  hands  of  the  reader, 
fairly  belonged;  and,  as  this  was  a  chief  rea- 
son for  advising  to  their  publication,  so  it  is  a 
strong  motive  for  wishing  and  hoping,  that 
they  may  have  an  extensive  publication,  and  a 
careful  perusal. 

It  must  not  be  omitted,  that  if  my  friend 
had  not  earnestly  requested  me  to  give  my 
opinion  of  this  work,  candidly  and  publicly, 
I  should  not  have  hazarded  the  charge  of  va- 
nity, to  which  I  perceive  I  may  expose  myself, 
by  making  the  foregoing  statement. 

ASHBEL  GREEN. 
Philadelphia,  May  10th,  1839. 


LECTURE    I 


MISSIONS. 


MATTHEW  XVI.  I. 

CAN  YE  NOT  DISCERN  THE  SIGNS   OF   THE  TIMES  ? 

The  period  of  our  Saviour's  advent  and  min- 
istry was  eventful  and  portentous.  The  Roman 
empire,  by  the  aggressive  movement  of  ages, 
had  spread  itself  out  over  most  parts  of  the  thqn 
known  world.  The  policy  and  power  of  that 
wonderful  people,  had  triumphed  over  almost  all 
the  nations  of  Europe,  and  subjected  them  to 
their  control.  Northern  Africa  acknowledged 
their  authority ;  and  Western  Asia,  reduced  to 
the  form  of  provinces,  lay  submissive  at  their 
feet.  Thus  situated,  the  world  was  in  a  state 
of  profound  peace.  But  while  the  Roman  em- 
pire was  thus  extended,  and  apparently  at  the 
zenith  of  power,  the  process  of  decay  had  com- 
menced at  the  heart.  Pride,  vain-glory,  and 
luxury,  the  consequences  of  success  in  warlike 
enterprises,  and  increased  wealth,  had  corrupt- 
ed the  morals,  and  enervated  the  energies  of 
that  people,  and  were  rapidly  preparing  the  way 

2 


14  LECTURE    I. 

for  those  revolutions  and  changes  which  after- 
wards took  place  in  the  state  of  that  empire, 
and  the  world. 

At  the  time  of  the  Saviour's  advent,  the  Jews 
were  subject  to  the  Roman  yoke.  Before  this 
time  public  attention  had  been  generally  excited 
by  the  ancient  prophecies,  and  high  expecta- 
tions were  entertained,  not  only  with  respect  to 
the  fact  of  Messiah's  appearance,  but  the  effects 
which  were  to  result  from  it  both  to  the  Jews, 
and  the  world  at  large.  The  coming  events  had 
cast  their  shadows  before  them.  The  Jews,  how- 
ever, had  fallen  as  far  from  their  once  high  and 
palmy  state,  in  morals  and  religion,  as  in  na- 
tional strength  and  political  importance;  and 
hence  were  not  prepared  to  receive  such  a  Sa- 
viour as  God  had  promised,  and  Christ  proved 
to  be.  This  accounts  for  much  of  their  con- 
duct while  he  ministered  among  them,  and  par- 
ticularly their  treatment  of  him.  They  were 
looking  for  a  splendid  person,  a  conquering  hero, 
a  temporal  prince,  an  extended  empire  to  which 
all  other  nations  were  to  be  subjected ;  and,  of 
course,  great  personal  and  political  considera- 
tion and  influence,  in  which  they  expected  large- 
ly to  share — while,  in  fact,  he  came,  meek,  low- 
ly, humble,  a  man  of  sorrows,  to  die  for  sinners; 
to  leave  the  world  to  set  up  a  spiritual  kingdom, 
to  revolutionize  the  world  by  the  sanctified  use 


MISSIONS.  15 

of  the  word  and  grace  of  God.  And  the  Jews, 
instead  of  being  the  partakers  of  his  temporal 
glory,  were  to  be  the  unwilling  witnesses  of  his 
Messiabship  and  truth,  by  their  unbelief,  the  sub- 
version of  their  civil  and  religious  polity,  their 
dispersion  among  all  nations,  and  a  degradation 
and  suffering  which  were  to  endure  for  many 
centuries;  and  from  which  they  would  find  no 
relief,  till  they  should  seek  it  penitently  through 
the  blood,  the  guilt  of  shedding  which  they  wick- 
edly imprecated  on  themselves  and  their  chil- 
dren. 

The  signs  which  were  foreshadowing  these 
events,  were  already  appearing  in  the  state  of 
the  Roman  empire,  the  condition  and  feelings  of 
the  Jewish  people,  and  the  general  aspects  of 
Divine  Providence,  which  began  to  put  on  a 
lowering  character;  and  they  were  portrayed 
as  with  a  sun-beam,  in  the  holy  oracles  which 
God  had  committed  to  them,  to  guide  their  faith 
and  conduct.  To  these  considerations,  however, 
the  Jews  of  that  day  were  blind.  They  had  no 
discernment  of  the  things  which  belonged  to 
their  peace,  and  hence  did  not  foresee  the  dan- 
ger which  threatened  them,  nor  hide  themselves, 
till  the  storm  fell  upon  their  devoted  heads. 

And  yet  they  were  keen  enough  of  discern- 
ment in  relation  to  other  things  : — -"  Ye  can  dis- 
cern the  face  of  the  sky,"  says  the  Saviour,  "  but 


16 


LECTURE    I 


ye  cannot  discern  the  signs  of  the  times:" — a 
matter  of  infinitely  more  importance  to  them  on 
every  account.  Bv^  this  he  designed  to  rebuke 
them  for  their  inattention  to  a  subject  in  which 
they  had  so  deep  an  interest.  Every  age,  my 
hearers,  has  its  signs.  As  long  as  there  are 
men  on  earth,  and  God  governs  them  by  his 
providence,  these  signs  will  exist.  They  are  let 
down  from  heaven,  by  the  hand  of  God  to  be 
seen  of  men,  and  studied  by  the  light  of  his  holy 
word,  and  improved  to  his  glory,  and  our  good. 
"  Whoso  is  wise  and  will  observe  these  things, 
even  they  shall  understand  the  loving  kindness 
of  the  Lord."  Of  these  signs  the  present  day 
is  by  no  means  destitute;  and  if  they  are  not 
peculiar,  (as  it  is  confidently  believed  some  of 
them  are,)  yet  they  are  exhibited  to  be  seen, 
studied,  and  improved  by  men,  for  their  benefit. 
Under  this  impression,  and  wdth  this  view,  the 
subject  of  our  present  meditation  has  been  select- 
ed. Permit  me  to  ask  your  close  and  prayerful 
attention  to  it.     Let  us  advert 

I.  To  what  25,  and  should  be  esteemed  to  be,  the 
glory  of  the  present  age,  the  great  and  success- 
ful efforts  made  to  spread  abroad  among  man- 
kind the  Gospel  of  Christ  and  its  blessed  in- 
fuences.  Before  the  Redeemer  ascended  to 
glory,  he  gave  to  his  disciples  this  command- 
ment— "  Preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature," 


MISSIONS.  17 

and  encouraged  them  to  hope  for  its  accom- 
phshment  by  these  three  considerations;  the 
promise  of  his  presence;  the  declaration  of  his 
Almighty  power;  and  the  gift  of  his  Spirit. 
Thus  commanded  and  encouraged,  they  went 
forth  to  their  work,  undismayed,  although  all 
earth  and  hell  were  opposed  to  them.  During 
their  life  time  the  Gospel  had  already  been 
preached  in  every  province  of  the  wide  spread 
Roman  empire,  and  multitudes  had  every  where 
submitted  themselves  to  the  Saviour's  authority. 
And  the  work  went  steadily  on,  notwithstand- 
ing the  opposition  which  was  made  to  it,  in- 
cluding many  bitter  and  bloody  persecutions, 
until,  in  the  beginning  of  the  fourth  century,  the 
rehgion  of  the  cross  ascended  the  throne  of  the 
Cesars,  in  the  person  of  Constantino  the  Great. 
It  is  a  question,  whether  pure  and  undefiled  re- 
hgion  ever  had  a  much  wider  extension  than  at 
that  period,  till  after  the  Reformation  in  the  six- 
teenth century;  for  what  it  gained  in  one  quar- 
ter, it  lost  in  another;  and  it  gradually  became 
almost  universally  corrupted.  Nor  did  the  ag- 
gressive influence  of  the  Reformation  on  the  ter- 
ritories of  darkness  and  sin,  last  long.  Its  fer- 
vours were  soon  exhausted,  and  its  influence  be- 
came retrograde  in  Europe;  and  when  it  was 
carried  abroad,  by  the  discovery  and  settlement 
of  this  continent,  and  the  discovery  of  a  passage 

2* 


18  LECTURE    I. 

to  the  East  Indies  by  sea,  it  was  too  much  en- 
cumbered by  a  spirit  of  worldly  enterprise  and 
gain,  to  exert  a  proper  and  permanent  efficiency. 
At  the  commencement  of  the  last  century,  Pro- 
testantism itself  had  lost  much  of  its  vitality, 
and  degenerated  into  formality.  Under  such 
circumstances,  missionary  efforts  were  scarcely 
thought  of.  The  Moravians,  about  that  time, 
had  just  commenced  their  efforts.  Three  or 
four  Germans,  employed  by  a  British  society, 
were  engaged  in  the  East  Indies;  and  the 
Elliots,  Mathews,  and,  at  a  somewhat  later  pe- 
riod, Brainerd,  had  devoted  themselves  to  the 
Indians  of  our  own  continent;  but  the  cause 
became  almost  extinct  at  the  premature  death 
of  the  latter. 

I  date  the  first  symptom  of  reviving  life,  and 
change  for  the  better,  from  a  small  association 
of  praying  young  men,  at  the  University  of  Ox- 
ford, in  England,  in  the  year  1729,  of  whom 
were  the  Wesleys  and  Whitefield.  These  were 
among  the  most  early,  honoured,  and  efficient 
instruments  of  a  revival  of  religion  in  the  Bri- 
tish Isles  and  this  country,  which,  I  have  no 
doubt,  was  graciously  sent  of  the  Lord,  to  coun- 
teract the  influence  of  that  infidelity  Avhich  swept 
like  a  torrent  over  Europe  during  the  last  cen- 
tury, and  prepare  the  church  of  God  to  do  her 
duty  to  the  world.     A  series  of  well  adapted 


MISSIONS.  19 

meaiis^  such  as  the  world  never  saw,  and  the 
church  never  wielded,  and  promissory  of  the 
happiest  results,  have  been  put  in  requisition. 

This  age  is  distinguished  by  the  estabhsh- 
ment  and  successful  operation  of  Bible,  Mis- 
sionary, Tract,  Education,  and  Temperance 
Societies,  and  Infant  and  Sunday  schools,  all  of 
them  having  for  their  object  the  glory  of  God, 
and  the  welfare  of  man ;  and  each  of  them  se- 
parately, and  all  of  them  collectively,  bearing 
benignly  upon  these  all  important  objects. 

The  Bible,  either  in  whole,  or  in  part,  has 
already  been  translated  and  printed  in  more 
than  one  hundred  and  fifty  languages  of  our 
world;  and  many  millions  of  copies  have  been 
distributed.  In  all  these  languages  there  is  pre- 
paration made  for  a  full  supply  as  soon  as  the 
people  shall  be  prepared  to  read  them,  and  the 
church  to  furnish  the  necessary  means.  Has 
the  like  of  this  ever  been  witnessed  in  any  pre- 
ceding age  of  the  world.  No,  my  hearers,  it  is 
one  of  the  peculiarities  of  this  age,  one  of  the 
signs  of  the  present  time.  The  way  is  at  least 
opening  to  give  the  word  of  God  to  all  the 
dwellers  on  earth,  so  that  they  may  read  the 
wonderful  works  of  God  in  their  own  living 
languages. 

This  singular  and  cheering  state  of  things  is 
connected  with,  and  has  sprung  from  the   ef- 


20  L  E  C  T  U  R  E    I . 

forts  which  have  been  made  to  spread  the  Gos- 
pel by  means  of  Missions.  Wherever  men 
have  gone  to  preach  the  Gospel,  they  have,  as 
soon  as  practicable,  commenced  the  transla- 
tion of  the  sacred  Scriptures,  and  the  means 
to  print  them  have  to  some  extent  been  sup- 
plied by  Bible  Societies.  Since  the  days  of 
the  Apostles,  the  work  of  missions  has  never 
engaged  so  much  of  the  attention,  excited  so 
highly  the  interest,  and  called  forth  so  gene- 
rally and  successfully  the  exertions  of  the 
Christian  church  as  during  the  last  half  century. 
There  is  scarcely  a  denomination  that  has  not 
felt  the  impulse.  The  Moravians,  those  pio- 
neers in  the  sacred  cause,  have  gone  on  in 
"  the  even  tenor  of  their  way,"  increasing  their 
operations  with  their  strength.  The  London 
Missionary  Society,  composed  of  members  of 
most  of  the  evangelical  denominations  in  Great 
Britain,  was  instituted  near  the  close  of  the 
last  century,  and  has  been  engaged  in  the  w^ork 
with  ardour  and  success.  They  were  very  soon 
followed  (probably  preceded)  by  the  Baptists  of 
England,  of  whom  it  is  praise  enough  to  say, 
that  they  sent  out  as  their  first  missionaries,  Ca- 
rey, Ward,  and  Marshman,  the  fathers  of  Se- 
rampore,  and  the  indefatigable  translators  of  the 
Scriptures  into  the  languages  of  India.  After 
these  came  the  Church  Missionary  Society,  the 


MISSIONS.  21 

Methodist  Missionary  Society,  the  Scottish  Mis- 
sionary Society,  the  American  Board  of  Com- 
missioners for  Foreign  Missions,  together  with 
Baptist,  Methodist,  Episcopal,  Western^  For- 
eign, and  Reformed  Dutch  Boards  or  Societies, 
in  our  own  country;  and  a  number  of  similar 
institutions  on  the  continent  of  Europe. 

These  various  institutions  have  succeeded  in 
planting  Christian  Missions  at  various  points  of 
the  British  East  Indian  possessions,  China,  Bur- 
mah,  New  Holland,  and  New  Zealand,  Siam, 
the  Dutch  possessions,  the  Society  and  Sand- 
wich Islands,  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  Sierra 
Leone,  Liberia,  Abyssinia,  The  Holy  Land, 
Constantinople,  Broosa,  Erzeroom,  Persia,  Ar- 
menia, Smyrna,  various  points  in  Greece,  and 
among  very  many  of  the  native  tribes  of  our 
own  country.  To  which  may  be  added  the  va- 
rious operations  of  Domestic  Societies  to  ex- 
tend and  strengthen  the  cause  of  Christ  in 
Christian  lands.  To  these  operations  God  has 
added  his  blessing,  so  that  many  minds  have 
been  enlightened  with  the  knowledge  of  the 
truth,  and  many  hearts  sanctified  and  devoted 
to  God.  And  not  only  so,  but  this  cause  is 
every  year  acquiring  new  interest  in  the  hearts 
of  God's  people,  and  some  hundreds  of  new 

*  Now  adopted   by  the    General   Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 


22  LECTURE    I. 

labourers  are  going  into  the  vineyard.  The 
cause  has  commanded  the  services  of  some  of 
the  choicest  spirits,  both  as  to  head  and  heart, 
which  have  ever  devoted  themselves  to  Christ. 
To  prove  this,  I  need  only  mention  the  names 
of  Buchanan,  Carey,  Martyn,  Morrison,  Milne, 
Thomason,  and  our  own  Hall,  Mills,  Burgess, 
and  Fisk,  with  a  host  of  other  worthies,  some 
of  whom  have  gone  to  rest,  and  many  of  whom 
are  now  "  bearing  the  heat  and  burden  of  the 
day."  In  addition  to  this,  many  hundreds  of 
young  men,  both  in  this  country  and  Europe, 
have  sacredly  devoted  themselves  to  the  bless- 
ed work,  and  are  in  various  stages  of  progress, 
preparing  to  enter  upon  their  labours,  and  eve- 
ry year  is  adding  to  their  number  by  scores, 
and  by  hundreds.  And,  in  the  meantime,  the 
Oiurch  in  every  part  of  the  world  is  waking  up, 
and  taking  new  interest  in  the  subject  of  Mis- 
sions, by  increasing  contributions,  efforts,  and 
prayers.  As  soon  as  labourers  are  found,  they 
are  sent  into  the  vineyard.  And  w^hile  the 
church  and  its  members  at  home  are  taking 
new  interest  in  the  subject,  the  new  converts 
from  heathenism  are  anxious  to  share  as  well 
in  the  labours  as  in  the  honours  of  the  sacred 
cause.  "  The  sacramental  host"  is  marshalhng 
its  forces  all  around  the  territories  of  sin  and 
darkness,  preparing  to  make  a  grand  aggres- 


MISSIONS.  23 

sive  movement,  in  the  confident  hope  of  a 
glorious  victory.  And  if  they  can  only  keep 
sight  of  the  captain  of  their  salvation,  follow 
closely  in  his  footsteps,  use  no  armour  but  his, 
receive  the  word  of  command  from  his  lips,  and 
rely  upon  his  power  and  skill,  there  is  no 
knowing  what  wonders  they  will  perform,  nor 
how  soon  a  conquered  world  will  acknowledge 
his  gracious  authority. 

Tracts  have  been  brought  to  aid  the  cause 
of  Bibles  and  Missions  with  happy  success. 
They  have  been  of  incalculable  service  in 
Christian  as  well  as  in  heathen  lands.  In 
Christian  lands  there  are  multitudes  who  will 
not  touch  a  Bible,  and  who  studiously  avoid 
the  preaching  of  the  Gospel,  to  whom  these 
little,  humble,  unobtrusive  preachers  of  right- 
eousness, find  their  way,  bearing  along  with 
them  enough  of  divine  truth  to  save  the  soul, 
and  doing  their  work  before  men  are  aware  of 
their  heavenly  errand.  And  in  heathen  lands 
they  can  be  put  into  requisition  long  before  the 
Bible  can  be  translated,  printed,  and  circulated, 
or  the  Missionary  be  prepared  to  preach  the 
gospel  to  edification. 

The  use  of  this  little  weapon  was  learn- 
edfrom  the  infidels  of  the  last  century.  Vol- 
taire and  his  coadjutors  knew  that  they  could 
not   reach  the  mass  of  the  people   with  their 


24 


LECTURE    I 


elaborate  treatises,  and  therefore  scattered  the 
tares  by  handfuls  all  over  the  land,  by  this 
means ;  and  the  unblest  harvest  has  been  reaped 
in  the  general  demoralization  of  the  people,  the 
French  revolution  with  its  horrors  and  woes, 
and  the  wars  and  miseries  which  grew  out  of  it. 
A  useful  lesson  was  thus  learned  by  the  follow- 
ers of  Christ,  upon  which  they  have  since  im- 
proved with  great  skill  and  success,  both  in 
Christian  and  heathen  lands.  Multitudes  of 
them  have  been  written,  printed,  and  circulated, 
and  many  souls  have  been  indebted  to  them  for 
their  whole  stock  of  Christian  knowledge,  and 
not  a  few  for  the  salvation  of  their  souls. 
Their  preparation  has  put  into  requisition  some 
of  the  best  heads  and  hearts  in  the  church  of 
Christ;  and  the  consequence  has  been,  that 
they  have  produced  tracts  which  have  received 
the  approbation  of  the  learned  and  the  wise, 
and  the  reading  of  them  has  been  blessed  to 
the  edification  of  Christians,  the  conviction  of 
gainsayers,  and  the  saving  illumination  of  the 
ignorant. 

They  are  happily  calculated  to  be  influen- 
tially  auxiliary  to  the  spread  and  success  of  the 
Gospel  of  Christ.  They  are  more  easily  pre- 
pared and  readily  circulated  than  the  sacred 
Scriptures.  They  can  be  sent  where  the 
preacher  cannot  go,  and  where  we  can  find. 


MISSIONS.  25 

and  prepare,  and  send  forth  one  preacher  of 
righteousness,  milhons  of  these  httle  mutes  may- 
be sent,  not  only  to  prepare  the  way  of  the 
Lord,  but  to  do  the  work  of  Evangehsts.  All 
are  not  qualified  to  preach  the  Gospel.  All  are 
not  quahfied  to  translate  the  Bible.  But  all 
the  Lord's  people  may  be  tract  distributers,  and 
thus  fulfil  Moses'  wish,  "  Would  to  God  that 
all  the  Lord's  people  wxre  prophets !"  No  de- 
partment of  Christian  benevolence  appears  more 
happily  calculated  to  further  the  progress  of 
the  kingdom  of  Christ.  The  widow^s  mite  is 
made  happily  and  visibly  instrumental  to  save 
souls.  The  tract  cause  belongs  to  this  age. 
It  is  one  of  the  signs  of  our  times.  May  it 
abundantly  flourish,  and  increase  with  the  in- 
crease of  God. 

Another  institution  which  belongs  to  this 
age,  and  stands  forth  as  a  sign  of  the  present 
time,  is  the  cause  of  education  as  connected 
with  the  ministry  of  reconciliation.  I  am  not 
well  informed  as  to  the  facts,  when  education 
societies  originated,  or  whether  they  took  their 
rise  on  this,  or  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic. 
Nor  is  it  material  to  determine  these  points. 
It  is  enough  for  my  present  purpose  to  remark, 
that  they  are  of  recent  origin,  and  belong  sub- 
stantially to  the  present  age.  I  am  not  un- 
aware that  most  of  the  literary  institutions  on 


26  LECTUREI. 

earth  have  sprung  from  religion,  and  have  been 
designed  to  furnish  the  Church  of  God  with  a 
competent  ministry.  And  I  am  also  aware 
that  many  young  men  have,  long  ago,  been 
gratuitously  educated  for  this  purpose.  But 
the  movement  of  the  Church  toward  evan- 
gelizing the  world,  and  the  deficiency  of  instru- 
ments, which  investigations  on  the  subject  have 
brought  to  light,  have  proved  the  necessity  of 
new  eflforts  to  furnish  men  well  qualified  to  ac- 
complish the  great  object.  It  was  soon  found 
that  there  were  not  enough  among  the  sons  of 
those  who  had  the  ability  to  educate  their  own 
children,  to  supply  the  wants  of  the  Church  and 
the  world.  Either  such  were  not  converted  to 
God,  and  hence  not  morally  qualified  for  such 
a  work;  or,  they  could  not  be  brought  to  en- 
gage in  it.  And  hence  the  necessity  of  seek- 
ing those  who  had  a  mind  for  the  work,  but 
had  not  the  means  to  educate  themselves. 
There  may  be  divine  sovereignty  in  this.  "  The 
poor  have  the  Gospel  preached  unto  them." 
"  Not  many  wise  men  after  the  flesh,  not  many 
mighty,  not  many  noble  are  called."  But  there 
certainly  is  divine  wisdom  in  it.  "  The  heat  and 
burden  of  the  day,"  require  not  a  race  of  men 
who  have  been  delicately  brought  up,  or  who 
have  fared  sumptuously — but  who  know  what 
it  is  to  want  and  labour.     If  the  rich  will  not 


MISSIONS.  2? 

give  their  sons  to  Christ  for  this  work,  they 
ought  not  to  think  it  hard  to  be  called  upon  to 
assist  in  training  substitutes  for  supplying  their 
lack  of  service  in  this  holy  warfare.  The 
work  must  be  done. 

But  whatever  the  cause,  the  systematic 
training  of  men  for  this  service,  by  the  associat- 
ed efforts  of  many,  is  peculiar  to  this  age.  And 
no  where  has  the  subject  excited  as  much  in- 
terest, or  occasioned  as  much  exertion,  as  in 
our  country.  Almost  every  denomination  of 
Christians  has  felt  the  necessity  of  engaging  in 
the  work.  While  they  have  "  prayed  the  Lord 
of  the  harvest  to  send  labourers  into  the  har- 
vest," they  have  endeavoured  to  show  their 
faith  by  their  works.  No  small  part  of  this 
field  has  been  cultivated  by  Presbyterian  and 
Congregational  hands.  For  a  length  of  time 
the  American  Education  Society,  principally 
composed  of  Congregationalists,  with  a  flourish- 
ing auxiliary  in  the  Presbyterian  Church,  took 
the  lead  in  this  important  work,  until  the  Pres- 
byterian Church,  for  the  safety  and  purity  of 
her  own  institutions,  found  it  necessary  to  pro- 
secute the  work  more  extensively  and  vigorous- 
ly in  her  distinctive  character.  She  found 
from  experience,  that  w^hosoever  should  edu- 
cate her  ministry,  and  direct  her  missionary 
operations,  must,  as  a  matter  of  course,  control 


28  LECTURE    I. 

her  institutions.  Being  of  age,  she  felt  as  if 
she  could,  and  might,  under  God,  assume  the 
direction  of  her  own  affairs,  by  the  appoint- 
ment of  a  Board  of  Education,  although  some 
of  her  own  children  think  she  has  not  yet  come 
to  the  years  of  discretion,  and  had  better  re- 
main under  "  tutors  and  governors." 

These  two  denominations  have  generally,  for 
a  few  years  past,  kept  by  this  means  about 
fifteen  hundred  young  men  in  a  course  of  train- 
ing for  the  Gospel  ministry.  How  many  have 
been  patronized  by  other  denominations,  I 
know  not,  but  probably  as  many  as  they 
thought  necessary  for  their  purposes,  or  felt 
able  to  assist.  The  number  has  probably  not 
been  small.  Thus  it  will  be  found  that  a  large, 
and  unprecedented  number  have,  within  a  few 
years,  by  the  contributions  and  prayers  of  the 
Church,  been  consecrated  to  this  holy  and  im- 
portant cause — enough  to  mark  this  as  a  pecu- 
liarity of  the  age  in  which  we  live,  and  a  pro- 
minent sign  of  the  times,  promising  the  most 
important  results.  Nay — it  has  already  had 
important  results,  for  many  of  the  pastors  of 
the  churches,  and  some  of  the  noblest  men  in 
the  Missionary  field,  have  thus  been  trained 
for  their  work — men,  who  would  have  been 
left  in  obscurity,  and  comparative  uselessness, 
but  for  such  means  of  education.    The  prose- 


MISSIONS.  29 

cution  of  this  work  promises  to  bless  the  world 
for  a  long  time  to  come. 

The  Temperance  cause  is  another  of  the  signs 
of  the  tir/ies,  which  bears  with  tremendous 
weight  upon  the  interests  of  souls,  and  the 
cause  of  God  on  earth.  The  evil  of  intemper- 
ance had  become  very  extensive  and  destructive, 
and  no  Avhere  more  so  than  in  those  countries 
which  had  made  the  greatest  progress  in  civi- 
lization, and  the  cultivation  of  the  arts  and 
sciences,  not  even  excepting  those  in  which 
the  Gospel  was  enjoyed  in  the  greatest  purity, 
and  had  exercised  the  happiest  influence.  Such 
has  been  the  demand  for  alcoholic  drinks,  that 
not  only  had  the  fruit  of  the  vine,  and  the 
apple  been  perverted,  but  the  very  staff"  of  life, 
our  choicest  bread  stuffs,  were  transmuted  into 
liquid  poison,  and  made  the  destroyers  of  that 
life,  which  God  made  them  to  sustain, and  nour- 
ish. This  tide  of  destruction  has  rolled  not 
only  over  this  land,  but  over  the  greater  part 
of  Europe,  and  has  not  improbably  been  an 
engine  of  greater  destruction  to  happiness  and 
life  than  the  wars  which  have  arisen  out  of 
the  French  revolution ;  and  men  have  evinced 
to  it  as  much  attachment  as  the  soldiers  of 
Bonaparte  did  to  the  glory  of  their  Emperor, 
or  the  plunder  of  the  nations.  In  our  own 
country,  this  demon  is,  Avith  good  reason,  sup- 


30  LECTUREl. 

posed  to  have  destroyed  more  than  thirty 
thousand  lives  annually,  at  an  expense  of  a 
hundred  millions  of  dollars,  besides  the  misery 
it  has  occasioned  to  wives  and  widows,  and 
children,  and  orphans,  and  the  ruin  irretriev- 
able and  eternal,  which  it  has  brought  upon 
souls;  for  nothing  good  or  holy  can  abide 
with  intemperance. 

Temperance  societies  have  been  designed  to 
arrest  the  progress  of  this  evil,  and,  if  possible, 
eradicate  it ;  and  their  success  has  been  mar- 
vellous and  happy.  The  amount  of  good  which 
has  been  accomplished,  has  been  incalculable ; 
but  much,  very  much  remains  to  be  done;  and 
if  the  cause  shall  be  prosecuted  with  the  dili- 
gence which  its  high  importance  demands,  and 
the  law  of  kindness  and  love  shall  dwell  upon 
the  lips  of  its  advocates,  and  it  shall  not  be 
made  a  substitute  for  religion,  pure  and  unde- 
filed  before  God  and  the  Father,  and  be  com- 
mitted to  the  blessing  of  the  "  Father  of  Lights," 
who  alone  is  able  to  crown  it  with  victory,  it 
will  go  on,  and  prosper,  and  be  one  of  the  chief 
glories  of  this  age,  and  one  of  the  greatest  bless- 
ings of  the  following.  Christians,  however,  must 
take  a  much  deeper  interest  in  it  than  they  have 
as  yet  done,  or  God  will  rebuke  them  by  crown- 
ing the  world  with  the  honour  of  achieving  this 
blessed  reformation.     The  work  will  be  done. 


MISSIONS.  31 

It  is  one  of  the  signs  of  the  times,  which  ought 
to  be  studied  with  close  and  interested  attention. 
Its  bearing  on  the  cause  of  Christ  is  direct  and 
important. 

Another  sign  of  the  times  is,  the  attention 
which  has  been  paid  to  the  education  of  the 
rising  generation,  particularly  by  means  of  In- 
fant and  Sabbath  schools.  The  former  is  a 
proof  of  the  well  founded  sentiment,  that  a  child 
is  susceptible  of  what  is  properly  denominated, 
education,  at  a  much  earlier  period  than  was 
formerly  imagined;  and  the  latter,  that  the 
young  mind  may  not  only  receive  intellectual 
culture  at  a  very  early  period,  but  become  ac- 
quainted with  the  truths  of  religion,  and  be  sav- 
ingly influenced  by  them.  It  is  no  uncommon 
thing  for  children  of  seven  or  eight  years  of  age 
to  have  received  more  mental  cultivation  than 
we  formerly  looked  for  at  twelve  or  thirteen. 
What  is  now  common^  was  once  thought  a  pro- 
digy  in  the  development  of  mind.  The  history 
of  our  Sunday  schools  furnishes  us  with  multi- 
tudes of  well  authenticated  instances  of  saving 
conversion,  at  ages  which  would  formerly  have 
been  deemed  miraculous.  Would  time  permit, 
I  could  detail  to  you  many  well  attested  facts 
on  the  subject,  some  of  which  have  fallen  under 
my  own  observation.  I  will,  however,  only  re- 
mark, that  I  have  been  well  acquainted  with  at 


32  LECTUREI. 

least  one  instance  of  conversion  between  five 
and  six  years  of  age,  and  that  I  have  known  a 
child  of  nine  years  of  age,  better  acquainted  with 
the  doctrines  of  religion,  and  the  system  of  sal- 
vation by  Jesus  Christ,  than  two-thirds  of  the 
members  of  most  of  our  churches. 

Now,  when  it  is  remembered,  how  early  edu- 
cation is  commenced — what  multitudes  are  en- 
joying the  benefit  of  Sabbath  schools,  and  how 
the  system  is  disseminating  itself  with  the  Gos- 
pel in  every  part  of  the  world;  and  connect  it 
with  the  promises  of  God,  and  the  other  signs 
of  these  latter  days,  may  it  not  be  noted  as 
one  of  the  striking  characteristics  of  the  age 
in  which  we  live  ?  One  of  the  beacon  lights 
which  God  is  hano^insr  out  from  heaven  to  show 
US  where  we  are,  and  teach  us  what  he  expects 
us  to  do  to  promote  his  cause.  Perhaps  there 
is  nothing  of  higher  promise  connected  with 
the  use  of  means,  and  allied  to  the  promise, 
"  They  shall  be  all  taught  of  God,"  than  the 
instruction  provided  for  the  young  in  the  in- 
stitutions of  which  I  am  speaking.  What  a 
day  will  that  be  for  our  world  when  all  the 
children  and  youth  on  earth  shall  be  duly  in- 
structed in  the  knowleds^e  of  God  and  salva- 
tion,  and  that  instruction  shall  be  sanctified,  as 
we  hope  it  will  be,  to  all  who  receive  it. 


MISSIONS.  33 

Suffer  me,  before  I  dismiss  the  branch  of  the 
subject  which  has  engaged  our  attention  this 
evening,  to  make  a  remark  or  two  suggested 
by  it.  I  say,  "Branch  of  the  subject,"  for 
there  remain  a  number  of  interesting  and  im- 
portant particulars  to  which,  if  the  Lord  spare 
us,  your  attention  will  be  directed  in  future 
months. 

In  the  first  place,  I  remark,  that  there  are 
probably  embodied  in  the  particulars  which 
have  been  mentioned,  most  of  the  instrumen- 
taUties  which  God  will  employ,  through  the 
sanctifying  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  to 
subdue  the  world  to  the  obedience  of  faith;  and 
that  the  means  now  exist  in  the  Church  to  carry 
this  great  purpose  of  the  divine  love  and  mercy 
into  ample  effect.  There  are  men  enough  now 
in  the  Church  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  every 
creature.  There  are  a  sufficiency  of  talents 
and  wealth  in  the  Church  to  prepare  the  Scrip- 
tures, and  put  them  into  the  hands  of  every 
family  on  earth,  in  their  own  living  language, 
in  the  course  of  a  few  years.  Where  would 
be  the  difficulty  of  flooding  the  earth  with 
evangelical  tracts?  And  wherever  Mission- 
aries have  carried  the  Gospel,  and  planted  the 
Church,  they  have  hitherto  been  able  to  estab- 
lish the  Sabbath  school.  The  abandonment  of 
unnecessary  and  destructive  drinks  alone  would 


34 


LECTURE    I 


more  than  furnish  the  necessary  funds.  What 
then  is  necessary  to  accomplish  the  great  and 
glorious  object?  Piety — Religion  enough  to 
consecrate  ourselves  and  all  that  we  have  and 
are,  to  Him  "  who  spared  not  his  own  Son,  but 
delivered  him  up  for  us  all,"  and  has  promised, 
"  freely  to  give  us  all  things  with  him."  Thus 
God  is  showing  us  how  this  great  work  may 
be  accomplished. 

2.  Why  is  he  hanging  out  this  great  sign  of 
the  Son  of  Man  before  our  eyes?  That  we 
may  observe  and  study  its  meaning,  and  learn 
our  duty,  while  the  Son  of  God  exhibits  him- 
self to  our  view,  as  ready  to  go  before  us  in  the 
work,  and  render  our  feeble  efforts  efficacious 
by  the  power  of  his  Spirit  and  grace.  To  tell 
us  that  the  time  has  come,  and  rebuke  our  unbe- 
lief and  delay.  Would  he  thus  raise  the  cloud 
from  off  the  tabernacle  of  the  congregation,  if  he 
had  not  come  to  lead  us  onward  to  Canaan?  We 
can  scarcely  open  the  mouth  in  prayer,  before 
he  answers  us.  Wheresoever  we  sow  the  seed 
he  causes  it  to  spring  up  and  bear  fruit.  If 
we  are  still  afraid  to  go  on,  and  possess  the 
land,  he  will  turn  us  back  to  wander  in  the 
wilderness,  and  leave  our  bones  to  perish  there ; 
and  when  we,  an  unbelieving  generation,  are 
dead,  our  children  shall  go  in,  and  possess  the 
land.     He  thus  rebukes  our  unbelief  of  the  pro- 


MISSIONS.  35 

mises  which  relate  to  the  kingdom  of  Christ, 
and  the  latter  day  glory,  our  blindness  to  those 
signs  of  promise  which  are  exhibited  before  our 
eyes,  and  our  tardiness  of  obedience  to  his 
word,  and  in  following  the  leadings  of  his  pro- 
vidence, which  are  all  encouraging  us  to  hope 
for  the  speedy  subjection  of  the  world  to  the 
cross  of  Christ,  if  his  people  have  faith  and 
courage  enough  to  undertake  the  work. 

3.  By  this  great  sign,  in  some  one  of  its  as- 
pects, every  follower  of  Christ,  however  hum- 
ble, may  find  some  way  in  which  he  may  be 
usefully  employed  for  the  promotion  of  the 
glory  of  God,  and  the  welfare  of  our  race. 
The  field  of  operation  is  so  wide  that  none 
need  be  idle.  In  some  one  of  its  allotments 
he  may  find  a  spot  which  he  may  advantage- 
ously cultivate,  if  only  he  has  a  mind  for  the 
work.  "The  field  is  the  world" — and  if  we 
have  but  one  talent,  we  may  find  a  spot  where 
it  may  be  usefully  bestowed.  Tell  me,  is  there 
nothing  which  you  can  do  for  the  promotion  of 
the  cause  of  Missions,  or  Bibles,  or  Tracts,  or 
Sunday  schools,  or  Education,  or  Temperance  ? 
If  in  all  this  variety  of  means  for  promoting 
the  cause  of  God  and  souls,  you  can  do  no- 
thing, you  must  be  poor  indeed  in  intellect,  and 
property,  and  poorer  still  in  piety  and  heart. 


36  LECTUREl  . M  I  S  S  I  O  N  S  . 

We  can  all  do  somethings  and  God  is  loudly 
calling  us  to  the  work  both  by  his  Word  and 
providence.  "  Can  ye  not  discern  the  signs  of 
the  times?" 


LECTURE    II. 

EDUCATION. 

MATTHEW  XVI.  III. 

CAN  YE  NOT  DISCERN  THE  SIGNS  OF  THE  TIMES  ? 

In  opening  this  subject,  on  a  former  occasion, 
it  was  remarked,  that  every  age  had  some 
signs,  or  aspects  which  were  peculiar  to  it- 
self; and  these  might  be  considered  as  en- 
signs, hung  out  by  God  to  be  observed  and 
studied  by  men,  for  their  edification.  Such 
was  the  case  when  the  Saviour  ministered  on 
earth.  The  lines  of  divine  providence  were  strik- 
ingly drawn,  and  highly  significant,  but  they 
seem  not  to  have  been  observed  by  the  Jewish 
people,  and  Christ  rebuked  them  for  their  blind- 
ness and  inattention  in  our  text.  They  were 
more 'inexcusable,  because  these  signs  were  the 
fulfilment  of  their  ow^n  Scriptures. 

It  was  also  remarked  that  the  present  day 
had  its  signs,  and  that  God  designed  to  in- 
struct this  generation  by  them.  It  w^as  also 
intimated  that  these  signs  were  manifold  and 
instructive,  and  that  it  was  my  design,  in  the 
selection  of  this  subject,  to  call  your  attention 
to  them  from  time  to  time.  A  single  one, 
which  was  stated  in  these  words,  "  The  great 

4 


38  LECTUREII. 

and  successful  efforts  made  to  spread  abroad 
among  mankind  the  Gospel  of  Christ  and  its 
blessed  influences,"  was  at  that  time  consider- 
ed. Your  attention  was  particularly  directed 
to  the  establishment  and  operation  of  Bible, 
Missionary,  Tract,  Education,  and  Temperance 
Societies,  and  Infant  and  Sabbath  schools,  as 
bearing  upon  this  one  great  object,  happily  cal- 
culated to  facilitate  its  accomplishment,  and 
furnishing  means  of  usefulness  to  all  God's 
people. 

II.  I  now  proceed  to  direct  your  attention  to 
the  subject  of  Education.  A  distinguished  Bri- 
tish statesman,  after  the  second  abdication 
of  Napoleon,  and  his  seclusion  in  the  island 
of  St.  Helena,  when  Europe  was  enjoying  a 
profound  peace,  and  a  deep  anxiety  pervaded 
the  minds  of  all  its  rulers  to  maintain  and 
confirm  it,  and  when  most  men  supposed  that 
it  would  be  permanent,  remarked  either  doubt- 
ingly  or  prophetically  in  the  British  Parlia- 
ment, "  The  schoolmaster  is  abroad  in  the 
land,"  anticipating  another  struggle,  waged 
upon  other  principles,  more  extensive,  fierce, 
and  decisive,  than  that  which  had  been  brought 
to  its  issue  at  Waterloo. 

But  however  this  may  be,  "  The  schoolmas- 
ter is  abroad  in  the  earth."  In  few  countries, 
if  any  on  earth,  has  education  been  as  widely 
diffused,   as   in  our   own.     New  England  has 


EDUCATION. 


3» 


ong  been  proverbial  for  the  number  and  ex- 
cellency of  its  schools.  Few,  or  none  of  its 
children  need  be  destitute  of  a  common  English 
education.  New  York  has  followed  close  in 
its  wake,  if  still  behind.  Pennsylvania  has 
waked  up  to  this  important  subject,  and  New 
Jersey  is  treading  on  its  heels.  Ohio  is  scarce- 
ly second  to  any  out  of  New  England.  Ken- 
tucky and  Tennessee  are  alive  to  the  subject; 
and  in  most  of  the  more  recent  States,  reserva- 
tions of  land  furnish  a  foundation  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  common  school  system.  And 
this  system  is  believed  to  be  so  homogeneous 
to  our  political  institutions,  and  so  necessary 
to  their  development  and  permanency,  that  it 
will  establish  itself  in  our  Southern  States,  not- 
withstanding all  the  difficulties  connected  with 
the  case.  It  is  not  improbable  that  in  the 
course  of  a  few  years,  such  a  system  will  have 
a  legal  estabhshment,  and  successful  operation, 
in  every  State  in  the  union,  a  consummation 
ardently  desired,  and  anxiously  sought  by  eve- 
ry patriot  and  Christian. 

But  the  interest  excited  by  the  subject  has 
by  no  means  been  confined  to  this  country. 
Education  is  as  widely  spread  in  despotic 
Prussia,  as  in  this  land  of  liberty,  and  per- 
haps not  less  so  in  Scotland.  In  England  and 
France  it  is  extending  itself.     And   there  are 


40 


LECTURE    II. 


few  countries  of  Europe  where  it  is  not  extend- 
ing itself  with  more  or  less  rapidity.  So  w^her- 
ever  the  Christian  religion  is  spreading  by 
means  of  missionary  operations,  does  the  mis- 
sionary establish  schools,  and  the  natives,  who 
are  uninfluenced  by  religious  considerations, 
are  to  some  extent  following  the  example. 
The  attention  of  men  has  been  extensively 
awakened  to  the  importance  of  the  subject, 
and  is  acting  under  an  impulse  which  will 
eventually,  and  probably  at  no  very  remote 
day,  pervade  every  community  on  earth.  And 
the  facility  for  carrying  on  the  work  is  very 
greatly  increased  in  every  thickly  populated 
country,  by  the  comparatively  recent  invention 
of  the  Lancasterian  or  monitorial  mode  of  in- 
struction, by  which  a  few  can  now  perform  the 
w^ork  which  formerly  required  the  labour  of 
many. 

I  am  not  in  possession  of  a  sufficiency  of 
statistics  on  the  subject  to  give  you  a  correct 
or  adequate  idea  of  its  progress,  and  this  pro- 
bably would  not  be  the  place  to  do  it.  We  do, 
however,  know  that  it  is  engaging  the  attention 
of  men  to  a  much  wider  extent  than  it  ever 
did,  and  from  its  very  nature,  must  spread,  per- 
haps till  it  shall  pervade  every  community  on 
earth.  That  the  subject  is  important  is  univer- 
sally admitted,  but  to  what  extent,  and  in  what 


EDUCATION.  41 

manner,  it  is  to  affect  the  minds,  or  hearts,  or 
affairs  of  men,  who  can  tell  ?  That  the  univer- 
sal diffusion  of  education  among  all  the  dwell- 
ers on  earth  will  produce  vast  changes  in  our 
world  is  justly  anticipated  by  all  who  have 
any  tolerable  acquaintance  with  the  nature  of 
man,  and  the  history  of  our  world.  The 
maxim  that  "  Intelligence  is  the  life  of  liberty," 
and  the  fact  that  a  portion  of  the  inhabitants 
of  our  country  are  studiously  excluded  from  all 
intellectual  cultivation,  and  to  a  lamentable  ex- 
tent, moral  also,  sufficiently  evinces  the  im- 
portance which  is  attached  to  the  subject  in 
this  land. 

That  the  effects  of  education  will  partake 
quite  as  much  of  its  nature  and  properties,  as  of 
its  amount,  is  susceptible  of  a  moral  demonstra- 
tion by  an  induction  of  facts.  It  is,  for  instance, 
true,  that  the  arts  which  embellish  life,  and  the 
literature  and  science,  which  expand,  strengthen, 
and  adorn  the  mind  of  man,  were  never  more 
extensively  or  successfully  taught  in  Greece, 
than  in  the  age  which  immediately  preceded 
the  overthrow  of  her  republican  institutions, 
the  extinction  of  her  liberties,  and  the  com- 
mencement of  a  downward  career,  from  which, 
after  the  revolution  of  twenty  centuries,  she 
has  scarcely  begun  to  recover.  When  were 
the   arts  and   sciences   in  the  zenith  of  their 

4* 


42  LECTURE    II. 

glory  at  Rome  ?  In  the  death  struggle  of  the 
republic,  and  the  commencement  of  her  impe- 
rial career.  The  Augustan  age  is  proverbial. 
Knowledge  had  never  been  more  successfully 
cultivated  or  widely  diffused  in  France,  than 
when  her  population,  like  a  horde  of  barba- 
rians, immersed  all  her  own  institutions  in 
blood,  and  rolled,  like  a  wave  of  destruction, 
over  Europe.  Facts  of  this  description,  if  not 
quite  so  striking,  might  still  be  multiplied. 
And  it  would  be  highly  instructive  and  useful 
to  study  them  with  close  attention.  They 
might  furnish  us  with  many  a  lesson  of  prac- 
tical wisdom  which  it  would  be  worth  our 
while  to  learn.  The  universal  cultivation  of 
the  human  mind  might  raise  a  race  of  giants  on 
our  earth.  But  it  is  to  be  feared  that  some  of 
them  might  be  blind,  and  use  their  great 
strength  in  destroying  their  fellows;  and  the 
residue  combine  their  energies  in  a  vain  at- 
tempt to  scale  the  heavens  and  dethrone  God. 

This  stone,  and  it  is  neither  of  diminitive 
magnitude,  nor  of  small  weight,  has  been  set  in 
motion,  not  only  in  this  land,  but  in  many 
others,  under  circumstances,  strongly  indica- 
tive of  rapid  movement,  and  a  long  extended 
course.  I  take  it  for  granted  that  education 
will  progress  in  our  country.  Such  is  our 
state,  and  such  the  feelings  of  the  American 


EDUCATION.  43 

people  on  the  subject,  that  the  schoolmaster 
will  find  his  way  into  every  part  of  our  widely 
extended  country,  and  fiilfil  his  office  wherever 
he  shall  go,  even  when  our  population  shall  be 
four  times  doubled.  And  I  doubt  not  some- 
thing like  this  will  take  place  in  other  parts  of 
the  world,  if  not  throughout  the  whole  of  it^ 
And  I  so  judge  from  the  thirst  of  mankind  for 
knowledge,  the  increased,  increasing,  and  easy 
intercourse,  for  commercial  or  religious  pur- 
poses, and  the  anxious  desire  of  some  to  com- 
municate the  knowledge  which  they  possess,  to 
others.  This  appears  to  me  to  be  one  of  the 
clearest  signs  of  the  times  in  which  we  live. 
May  we  not  almost  call  it  an  article  of  Ame- 
rican faith  ?  We  are  fond  of  anticipating  the 
day  as  not  very  distant,  when  all  the  nations 
of  the  earth  shall  enjoy  civil  and  religious  liber- 
ty, and  their  institutions  be  formed  after  the 
model  of  our  own  ?  And  who  that  dreams  of 
such  a  consummation,  but  connects  it  in  his 
mind  with  the  cultivation  of  the  intellect  by 
education,  and  the  communication  of  the  ne- 
cessary knowledge  on  all  the  subjects  connect-/" 
ed  with  it  ? 

That  the  diffusion  of  education  is  to  make 
wonderful  and  important  changes  in  our  world, 
no  one,  who  has  any  knowledge  on  the  sub- 
ject, can,  even  for  a  moment,  doubt.     But  who 


44  LECTUREII. 

can  tell  what  their  nature  and  extent  will  be  ? 
Only  He  who  knows  the  end  from  the  begin- 
ning. That  it  will  very  deeply  affect  both  the 
minds  and  hearts  of  men,  the  state  of  families, 
the  ordinary  intercourse  of  life,  the  intercourse 
between  nations,  the  habits  of  life,  the  frame- 
work of  society,  and  pubhc  institutions,  both 
civil  and  religious,  admits  of  no  dispute.  The 
changes  will  be  deep  and  radical,  but  their 
nature  and  properties,  will,  under  God,  depend 
upon  the  nature  and  qualities  of  the  education 
which  shall  be  communicated.  Men  do  not 
gather  grapes  from  thorns^  nor  Jigs  from  thistles. 
Mere  intellectual  culture  never  did  make  men 
wise  or  good — never  did  fit  them  to  fill  up  the 
various  relations  which  they  sustain  to  God 
and  each  other  in  a  manner  calculated  to  pro- 
mote the  best  interests  of  all  concerned.  Satan 
has  a  gigantic  intellect.  His  angels  are  his 
compeers.  They  have  been  increasing  in  in- 
telligence from  their  creation.  The  most  high- 
ly educated  among  the  sons  of  men  on  earth, 
would  not,  probably,  in  this  respect,  compare 
with  the  meanest  imp  of  darkness  who  has 
been  blighted  and  scathed  by  the  wrath  of  God. 
But  there  is  neither  society,  nor  government, 
nor  bliss  in  hell.  The  fathers  of  the  French  re- 
volution comprised  the  very  elite  of  the  eigh- 
teenth century  for  mind,  for  cultivation,  and  in- 


EDUCATION.  4& 

telligence.  Every  known  art  and  science  was 
cultivated  by  them  to  the  utmost  extent,  and 
they  laboured  industriously  to  infuse  their  own 
intelligence  into  the  public  mind  of  France. 
And  what  was  the  result  ?  A  Babel — a  gen- 
eral overthrow — confusion — blood — misery. — 
Beautiful  France  made  into  a  slaughter-house — 
changed  into  a  Golgotha..  The  politest  na- 
tion on  earth  became  the  murderers  of  their 
race.  Every  nation  around  them  was  robbed 
of  the  fruits  of  the  arts,  to  prove  that  the 
French  were  the  best  educated  and  most  polish- 
ed people  on  earth. 

Take  another  example.  The  people  of  Hin- 
dostan  are  among  the  most  ignorant,  supersti- 
tious, degraded,  and  immoral  people  on  earth. 
They  are,  however,  said  to  possess  fine  capa- 
cities for  improvement.  They  are  now,  as  you 
know,  and  for  some  time  have  been,  subjected  to 
the  authority  and  control  of  the  British  govern- 
ment. Influenced  either  by  a  desire  to  do 
good  to  this  people,  or  finding  it  necessary  to 
educate  some  of  them,  that  they  might  employ 
them  advantageously  in  their  affairs,  they  es- 
tablished a  Hindoo  College  in  the  vicinity  of 
Calcutta.  At  this  institution  a  number  of  young 
men,  probably  of  respectable  connexions  and 
talents  have  been  educated.  They  have  been 
trained  in  the  knowledge  of  the  literature  and 


46 


LECTURE    II. 


sciences  of  Europe,  in  addition  to  the  languages 
of  India.  The  consequence  has  been,  great 
intellectual  improvement,  together  with  great 
contempt  for,  and  abandonment  of,  the  super- 
stitious notions  and  practices  of  their  own 
country.  It  should  here  be  remarked,  that  all 
religious  instruction,  particularly  all  connected 
with  the  Christian  religion,  w^as,  for  fear  of 
shocking  the  minds  of  the  pupils  and  their  con- 
nexions, and  prevent  them  from  embracing  the 
advantages  of  the  institution,  carefully  excluded 
from  its  walls.  And  what  has  been  the  con- 
sequence ?  The  rearing  of  a  race  of  intellec- 
tual Atheists.  The  lights  of  literature  and 
science  dissipated  their  superstition.  It  expos- 
ed the  follies  and  absurdities  which  they  had 
been  taught  in  childhood  and  early  youth,  with- 
out offering  them  any  thing  better  in  its  stead, 
and  left  them  to  verify  Paul's  declaration, 
"  The  world  by  wisdom  knew  not  God."  Suf- 
fer me  to  illustrate  my  position  by  a  few  ex- 
tracts from  a  speech  delivered  by  Dr.  Duff,  a 
Scottish  Missionary  from  India,  in  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  in  1835. 
If  you  can  lay  your  hands  on  the  whole  speech, 
its  perusal  will  abundantly  repay  you.  "  Now, 
(says  he)  let  us  advert  to  some  of  the  modes 
of  overcoming  difficulties  like  those  now  stated. 
I  have  already  shown  that  the  communication 


EDUCATION.  47 

of  useful  knowledge  will  demolish  the  ancient 
learning  and  religion  of  Hindostan.  On  this 
subject  a  grand  experiment  has  been  made  at 
the  expense  of  the  British  government  in  the 
metropolis  of  India.  About  eighteen  years 
ago  there  was  founded,  in  Calcutta,  a  college 
for  educating  Hindoo  youths,  in  the  literature 
and  science  of  Europe,  apart  from  religion. 
The  seminary  has  been  attended  chiefly  by 
persons  of  rank,  wealth,  and  influence  in  so- 
ciety. Here  then  was  a  favourable  opportu- 
nity of  ascertaining  the  power  of  European 
knowledge,  when  brought  .in  contact  with  the 
system  of  Hindooism.  The  result  was  pre- 
cisely such  as  any  one  duly  acquainted  with 
the  subject  would  confidently  anticipate.  For 
the  last  ten  years,  class  after  class  has  issued 
forth  from  this  institution,  who,  by  the  course 
of  enlightened  study  pursued,  were  made  alive 
to  the  gross  absurdities  of  their  own  systems. 
These,  therefore,  they  boldly  denounced  as 
masses  of  imposture  and  debasing  error,  and 
the  Brahmans  as  deceivers  of  the  people? 
though  many  of  themselves  belong  to  that  ex- 
alted and  sacred  class.  But  no  morals  or  reli- 
gion having  been  taught  in  the  institution,  the 
young  men  were  in  a  state  of  mind  utterly 
blank  as  regards  mora]  and  religious  truth,  or 
moral  and  religious  obligation.    They  were  infi- 


48  X  E  C  T  U  R  E    II. 

dels  or  sceptics  of  the  most  perfect  kind,  believing 
in  nothing,  believing  not  even  in  the  existence  of 
a  Deity,  and  glorying  in  their  unbelief.  Still,  their 
infidelity  was  of  a  negative,  rather  than  a  posi- 
tive kind.  It  was  not  the  hardened  infidelity 
of  those  who  have  apostatized  from  the  true  re- 
ligion, but  the  looser  infidelity  of  minds  that 
had  become  emptied  of  a  false  one.  Truth  was 
w^ith  them,  not  a  thing  positively  rejected,  but 
a  thing  undiscovered,  unknown,  and  therefore 
not  believed.  To  this  class  of  persons  much 
attention  was  directed  some  years  ago,  and  I 
refer  to  their  case  as  illustrative  of  one  of  the 
modes  of  accomplishing  our  great  end.  Of  the 
existence  of  this  class  I  knew  nothing,  because 
I  had  heard  nothing,  when  I  first  reached  my 
destination.  With  them  and  their  condition  I 
got  acquainted  by  degrees,  visiting  the  college 
and  conversing  with  them — meeting  with  them 
in  government  offices  and  agency  houses,  as 
clerks  and  copyists — and  attending  various  as- 
sociations which  they  had  formed  for  debating 
questions  of  a  literary  or  political  character. 
In  this  way  I  gradually  became  familiar  with 
their  peculiar  state  of  mind — their  habitude  of 
thought — their  modes  of  reasoning — their  pre- 
vailing opinions,  with  the  staple  of  their  know- 
ledge— the  subjects  that  were  found  most  in- 
teresting, and  the  kinds  of  argument  and  evi- 


EDUCATION.  49 

dence  that  proved  to  them  most  satisfactory. 
All  subjects  seemed  to  be  more  or  less  tolerat- 
ed but  religion.  Against  religion  in  every  form 
they  raged  and  raved.  They  scrupled  not  to 
scoff  at  Christianity,  they  scrupled  not  to  dis- 
avow their  disbelief  in  the  very  being  of  a  God — 
thus  reahzing  the  condition  of  men,  described 
by  an  ancient  author,  who  "  Fled  from  super- 
stition, leapt  over  religion,  and  sunk  into  athe- 
ism." 

Such  is  the  testimony  of  a  competent  and 
highly  intelligent  witness,  who  had  the  best  op- 
portunities for  judging  of  what  mere  intellec- 
tual cultivation  will  do  towards  fitting  us  for 
usefulness  on  earth,  and  glory  in  heaven.  Let 
it  not  be  said  that  these  were  mere  stupid  ig- 
norant Hindoos.  Nothing  can  be  wider  of  the 
truth  than  such  an  opinion.  Thus,  our  author, 
with  the  best  opportunities  of  forming  a  just 
estimate,  describes  them.  "  Having  in  my  for- 
mer intercourse  found  that,  from  the  metaphy- 
sical cast  of  mind  among  the  higher  orders  of 
Hindoos,  these  young  men  had  studied  our 
writers  on  mental  philosophy  with  peculiar  de- 
light, that  several  of  them  had  mastered  the 
works  of  Reid,  and  Stewart,  and  Brown,  and 
Locke,  in  such  a  way  as  I  do  not  remember 
the  majority  of  students  attending  moral  phi- 
losophy classes  in  our  universities  to  have  for- 

5 


50  LECTUREII. 

merly  mastered  them,  I  had  recourse,  as  a  last 
resort,  to  a  mixed  mode  of  representing  what 
has  been  termed  the  a  priori,  or  a  metaphysi- 
cal argument  for  the  being  of  an  intelligent  First 
Cause.  The  young  men,  for  the  most  part,  de- 
clared, "  We  now  believe  there  is  a  great  First 
Cause,  the  intelligent  Author  of  all  things." 
Such  were  these  men,  and  such  the  effect  of 
mere  education,  or  intellectual  culture,  upon 
them. 

I  am  strongly  tempted  to  make  you  ac- 
quainted with  the  mode  and  results  of  the  la- 
bours of  this  highly  gifted  servant  of  Christ 
with  these  young  intellectual  atheists  of  India, 
but  time  and  the  particular  object  I  have  in 
view  this  evening,  forbid  it.  Enough,  how- 
ever, has  appeared  from  well  authenticated 
facts,  to  prove  that  the  mere  cultivation  of  in- 
tellect, or  what  is  understood  by  mere  educa- 
tion, is  very  far  from  fitting  man  even  for  the 
filling  up  in  the  best  manner  his  earthly  rela- 
tions, much  more  those  higher  relations  which 
bind  him  morally  to  his  fellows,  and  his  God. 
It  is  in  danger  of  blotting  out  the  hopes  of  his 
immortality,  the  higher  and  true  style  of  his 
nature,  and  reducing  him  to  the  ultimate  level 
of  the  brutes  which  perish. 

I  may  here  be  asked,  are  you  the  advocate 
of  ignorance  ?     Would  you  deprive  the  rising. 


EDUCATION.  51 

and  following  generations  of  mental  culture? 
Would  you  close  up  our  schools,  academies, 
and  colleges?  Would  you  take  from  the 
schoolmaster  his  vocation?  Not  at  all — I 
would  increase  their  number — I  would  elevate 
the  character  of  intellectual  cultivation — I 
would,  however,  make  this  sign  of  our  times  a 
bow  of  promise  in  our  heavens,  and  not  a  bale- 
ful meteor,  portending  ruin  and  death.  I 
would  not  entrust  the  fortunes  of  our  country, 
and  of  our  race,  to  the  mere  schoolmaster — the 
man  of  mere  figures  and  letter s»  It  is  all  idle 
and  vain,  and  worse  than  either,  to  attempt  to 
train  the  immortal  mind  as  if  it  were  a  mere 
intellectual  spark  to  be  blown  into  a  flame, 
which  will  be  for  ever  extinguished  by  the  cold 
damps  of  death. 

Am  I  again  asked.  Are  not  the  institutions 
of  this  land  the  fruit  of  mental  culture  ?  Were 
not  the  fathers  of  our  country  men  of  educa- 
tion and  intelligence  ?  Is  not  intelligence  the 
life  of  liberty  ?  Is  there  a  hope  that  the  other 
nations  of  the  earth  will  ever  be  thus  blessed, 
unless  the  mass  of  the  people  are  educated? 
I  admit  all  you  can  say  in  favour  of  education. 
I  bless  God  that  the  schoolmaster  is  abroad. 
May  his  company  become  a  regiment,  a  brig- 
ade, a  well  organized  and  numerous  army. 

Still,  let  it  be  remembered,  that  the  fathers 


52  LECTUREII. 

of  our  country  were  as  distinguished  for  their 
high  virtue,  rehgious  knowledge,  and  evange- 
hcal  purity,  as  for  their  mental  cultivation  and 
intelligence-  They  had  their  schools  from  the 
beginning;  but  the  schoolmaster  stood  before 
his  pupils  with  the  book  of  God  in  his  hand, 
and  the  young  mind  received  a  large  portion  of 
its  intellence  from  the  pages  of  inspiration. 
Thus  were  the  men  trained  who  formed  our  in- 
stitutions. These  had  all  received  their  "  form 
and  pressure"  before  French  infidelity  had  ban- 
ished the  Bible  from  our  schools.  We  should 
wait  long  before  we  should  receive  such  insti- 
tutions from  the  boasted  intelligence  of  men 
who  have  been  educated  under  different  auspi- 
ces. And  God  knows  whether  the  institutions 
which  were  thus  built  up  under  the  divine 
smiles,  would  have  endured  to  the  present  day, 
if  the  Lord  had  not  corrected  our  folly,  and 
saved  us  from  its  consequences,  by  the  estab- 
lishment of  Sabbath  schools,  thus  bringing  our 
children  and  youth  into  the  connexion  of  God's 
instructions,  from  which  they  had  been  exclud- 
ed by  the  banishment  of  the  divine  oracles  from 
our  primary  schools.  May  the  correction  be 
received  with  humility  and  thankfulness,  and 
the  lesson  not  be  lost  upon  us. 

We  owe  much   to  education,  but   more  to 
the  Father  of  our  spirits,  who  has  blessed  us 


EDUCATION.  53 

with  the  light  of  the  Sun  of  Righteousness. 
But  we  owe  nothing  to  infidehty.  We  should 
have  waited  long  enough  for  such  institutions 
as  we  enjoy,  if  we  had  expected  to  derive  them 
from  such  a  source.  The  ordering  of  our  lot 
has  been  marvellous  both  with  respect  to 
time  and  circumstances.  I  consider  it  among 
the  special  mercies  of  God  that  this  country 
was  not  colonized  until  the  Reformation  had 
obtained  a  firm  footing  in  Europe,  and  brought 
our  fathers  here  enlightened  by  the  truth  and 
grace  of  God.  Otherwise  we  should  have  close- 
ly resembled  Mexico,  and  the  South  American 
states.  The  Spaniards  were  as  enlightened  then 
as  the  English,  in  every  thing  excepting  the 
knowledge  of  salvation.  It  was  a  circumstance 
no  less  merciful  that  our  revolution  was  achiev- 
ed, while  the  infidelity  which  has  since  deluged 
Europe,  and  shaped  its  revolutions,  was  mainly 
confined  to  its  higher  and  educated  circles,  and 
had  scarcely  reached  even  that  class  here.  If 
that  great  event  had  been  delayed  even  a  quarter 
of  a  century^  the  result  7night,  and  probably  would 
have  been  very  different.  At  all  events  the 
revolutions  through  which  other  nations  have 
subsequently  passed,  have  had  very  different 
results.  In  no  one  instance  have  they  resulted 
in  the  establishment  of  institutions  which  have 
fulfilled  the  wishes,  and  realized  the  hopes  of 

5* 


54  LECTUREII. 

the  enlightened  friends  of  hberty,  order,  and 
rehgion.  Look  at  France,  Spain,  Portugal, 
Naples,  Mexico,  and  the  South  American 
States.  They  have  all  passed  through  revolu- 
tions, and  some  of  them  through  several.  And 
now,  tell  me,  upon  which  of  these  countries 
does  your  eye  rest  with  complacency?  Of 
which  of  all  of  them  would  you  say.  There  do 
I  desire  to  dwell  ?  Many  of  them  are  fair,  fer- 
tile, and  salubrious.  But  which  of  them  will 
bear  a  favourable  comparison  with  this  land  of 
your  birth  or  adoption  ? 

And  whence  arises  the  difference?  I  will 
tell  you,  and  I  challenge  contradiction.  Here 
only  was  there  religious  light  to  direct  and 
sanctify  mere  knowledge.  This,  of  all  of 
them,  was  the  only  land  of  Bibles.  No  where 
else  did  the  young  receive  the  knowledge  of 
God,  pure  from  the  heavenly  fountain,  with  the 
elements  of  their  education.  Our  fathers  only, 
of  all  the  men  of  revolutions,  had  the  grace  not 
only  to  appeal  to  God  for  the  rectitude  of  their 
intentions,  but  to  put  the  issue  into  the  hands 
of  the  God  of  the  Bible  with  frequent  fasting 
humiliation,  and  prayer,  and  to  implore  on  it 
continually  the  healthful  spirit  of  his  grace. 
In  this  spirit  were  the  foundations  of  our  insti- 
tutions laid,  and  under  these  auspices  was  the 
edifice  reared.     Even  men  who  were  not  dis- 


EDUCATION.  55 

tinguished  for  piety  or  religious  zeal  felt  the 
force  of  the  principle.  Hear  what  Franklin 
said  in  the  convention  which  formed  the  con- 
stitution under  which  we  still  live.  It  was 
when  that  assembly  was  perplexed,  and  it  seem- 
ed exceedingly  doubtful  whether  they  would  be 
able  to  agree  on  any  thing.  "  In  this  situation 
of  this  assembly,  groping  as  it  were,  in  the  dark, 
to  find  political  truth,  and  scarce  able  to  distin- 
guish it  when  presented  to  us,  how  has  it  happen- 
ed, sir,  that  we  have  not  hitherto  once  thought 
of  humbly  applying  to  the  Father  of  Lights  to  il- 
luminate our  understandings  ?  In  the  beginning 
of  the  contest  with  Britain,  when  we  were  sensi- 
ble of  danger,  we  had  daily  prayers  in  this  room, 
for  the  Divine  protection !  Our  prayers,  sir, 
were  heard;  and  they  were  graciously  answer- 
ed. All  of  us,  who  were  engaged  in  the  strug- 
gle, must  have  observed  frequent  instances  of  a 
superintending  Providence  in  our  favour.  To 
that  kind  Providence  we  owe  this  happy  oppor- 
tunity of  consulting  in  peace  on  the  means  of 
establishing  our  future  national  felicity.  And 
have  we  now  forgotten  that  powerful  friend? 
Or  do  we  imagine  we  no  longer  need  his  assis- 
tance ?  I  have  lived,  sir,  a  long  time,  and  the 
longer  I  live,  the  more  convincing  proofs  I  see 
of  this  truth,  That  God  governs  in  the  affairs  of 
men.     And   if  a   sparrow  cannot   fall   to   the 


56  LECTURE    II. 

ground  without  his  notice,  is  it  probable  that 
an  empire  can  rise  without  his  aid  ?" 

You  find  nothing  Hke  this  in  the  other  revo- 
lutions to  which  I  have  referred.  So  far  as 
they  were  loosed  from  the  trammels  of  Catho- 
lic superstition,  they  were  imbued  with  the 
principles  and  spirit  of  infidelity.  Such  were 
the  Illuminati  of  France  and  Germany,  the  Li- 
berals of  Spain  and  Portugal,  and  the  Carbo- 
nari of  Italy.  The  revolutions  of  Mexico  and 
South  America  were  carried  on  upon  the  same 
principles.  God  seems  to  have  put  the  mark 
of  his  divine  reprobation  upon  these  vain  at- 
tempts; and  appears  to  have  established  it  as 
an  axiom  in  human  affairs,  that  men  shall  walk 
safely  and  comfortably  by  no  light  which  they 
have  not  borrowed  from  the  Sun  of  Righteous- 
ness. My  dear  hearers,  you  may  educate  men 
as  highly  as  you  please — you  may  rear  every 
man  amid  the  splendours  of  science — you  may 
pour  into  every  human  mind  all  the  lights  of 
literature  and  science,  and  deny  him  the  light 
of  revelation,  and  leave  his  heart  uncultivated 
by  the  grace  of  God,  and  you  make  him  a 
blind  giant,  or  arm  him  with  greater  power  to 
do  evil.  This  is  the  law  of  moral  and  intellec- 
tual existence;  and  the  increasing  experience 
of  mankind  will  illustrate  and  verify  it.     The 


EDUCATION.  57 

perfections  and  word  of  God  are  guarantees  of 
its  truth. 

While,  therefore,  we  attach  all  due  import- 
ance to  education,  and  labour  to  cultivate  our 
own  minds,  and  facilitate  the  cause  of  educa- 
tion among  our  fellow  creatures  to  the  extent 
of  our  ability,  let  us  beware  how  we  en- 
tertain the  vain  imagination,  that  man  needs 
nothing  more  to  fit  him  for  his  highest  desti- 
nies, either  here  or  hereafter,  than  the  mere 
cultivation  of  his  intellect.  God  has  furnished 
us  with  a  sufficiency  of  light  on  the  subject,  to 
convince  us  of  the  utter  fallacy  of  such  a  hope. 
The  experiment  has  been  fairly  tried,  and  men 
need  not  be  deceived  on  the  subject,  unless 
they  are  wilfully  so.  It  has  long  ago  been  de- 
termined that  we  shall  reap  what  we  sow.  Ex- 
periments enough  have  been  tried  to  convince 
the  most  sceptical.  The  field  has  been  sown 
broad-cast  with  tares,  but  it  has  not  yielded 
wheat.  The  law  is  as  well  estabUshed  in  morals 
as  in  nature,  that  every  seed  wdll  produce  fruit 
after  its  kind,  and  if  Christian  men  will  consent 
that  infidels  shall  educate  their  children,  or  di- 
rect their  education,  let  them  blame  themselves 
for  the  unblest  results  which  shall  flow  from  it. 
Let  it  not  be  believed,  even  for  a  moment,  that 
because  the  constitution  of  our  government  has 
wisely  guaranteed  to  every  man  the  rights  of 


58  LECTUREII. 

conscience,  and  denied  itself  all  connexion  with 
any  sect,  that  we  are  therefore  a  nation  of 
atheists,  and  that  we  are  on  that  account 
bound  to  banish  God  and  his  revealed  will  from 
our  schools.  They  had  w^ell  nigh  succeeded 
some  years  ago  in  persuading  us  that  this  was  a 
constitutional  axiom.  Nothing  however  can  be 
more  fallacious.  Christian  freemen  better  un- 
derstand  their  rights.  They  know  that  they  are 
entitled  to  say  what  books  their  children  shall 
read,  and  in  what  principles  they  shall  be  educat- 
ed. And  if  it  were  not  so,  infidels  would  enjoy 
a  constitutional  pre-eminence  over  all  others. 
They  would  then  have  the  right  of  pre-occupy- 
ing  the  minds  of  the  young,  and  render  the  in- 
troduction of  better  principles  almost  hopeless. 
This,  however,  can  never  be  conceded  under  a 
government  of  equal  laws. 

Let  Christians  reflect  deeply  and  seriously  on 
this  subject.  It  is  not  among  the  least  interest- 
ing of  the  signs  of  the  times.  God  has  gra- 
ciously given  them  a  sufficiency  of  light  on  this 
all  important  subject,  to  enable  them  to  discern 
the  nature  and  tendency  of  the  principle,  and 
to  understand  their  own  duty  with  respect  to  it. 
He  has  put  this  "  Salt  of  the  earth"  into  their 
keeping,  and  made  them  responsible  for  its  pre- 
servation, and  due  dissemination.  They  have 
it  in  their  power  to  give  a  direction  and  char- 


EDUCATION.  59 

acter  to  education  in  this  land  which  shall,  un- 
der the  Divine  blessing,  preserve  and  propagate 
the  knowledge,  to  the  sanctified  use  of  which 
we  are  indebted,  not  only  for  our  liberty,  but 
for  those  institutions  which  give  to  liberty  itself 
its  highest  value.  These  can  be  secured  to  us 
by  no  other  means.  Constitutions  and  laws 
have  no  binding  force  without  morals,  and  mo- 
rals can  never  be  maintained  without  divine 
sanctions.  The  morahty  of  the  Bible  itself 
would  not  outlive  a  single  generation  unless  it 
were  sustained  in  the  consciences  of  men  by 
the  authority  of  God.  Christian  men  can  do 
much  to  maintain  this  position,  and  God  and 
their  country's  highest  interests  require  it  at 
their  hands.  And  if  they  can  do  nothing  else, 
let  them  see  to  it  that  their  own  children  do 
not  lack  culture  in  the  nurture  and  admonition 
of  the  Lord.  Piety  and  patriotism  both  require 
this  at  their  hands. 

And  let  it  be  distinctly  remembered  that  no 
time  is  to  be  lost.  The  children  have  been 
born,  and  are  probably  now  receiving  their  edu- 
cation, who  will  exercise  a  decisive  and  con- 
trolling influence  over  the  destinies  of  our 
country,  and  with  them,  over  no  small  portion 
of  our  race.  Let  them  be  rightly  educated 
with  a  view  to  this  high  destiny,  and  the  eyes 
of  the  nations  will  not  be  directed  in  vain  to 


60  LECTUREII. 

this  country.  We  shall  solve  the  problems, 
whether  mankind  shall  enjoy  free  institutions, 
and  whether  the  Gospel  of  Christ  can  maintain 
itself  in  purity  and  power  by  its  own  energy 
and  sanctified  use.  We  are  at  present  empha- 
tically "  the  city  set  on  a  hill."  If  we  fulfil  our 
high  trust,  we  shall  be  a  glorious  example,  to 
be  followed  by  multitudes,  and  men  shall  call 
us  blessed.  But  if  we  fail,  we  shall  blast  some 
of  the  fairest  hopes  which  the  friends  of  free- 
dom and  religion  have  ever  entertained.  And 
all  experience  and  observation  prove  incontes- 
tably  that  we  shall  fail,  and  miserably  fail,  un- 
less the  mass  of  our  population  early  learn  the 
knowledge  and  fear  of  the  Lord.  Mere  educa- 
tion will  not  save  us,  nor  will  it  save  the  world. 
That  high  honour  God  has  reserved  for  his 
Christ,  and  no  sons  of  Belial  shall  share  it  with 
him.  The  world's  light  must  come  from  hea- 
ven. Its  redemption  is  by  the  cross.  Diseas- 
ed human  nature  will  never  be  cured  but  by 
the  knowledge  of  the  Son  of  God,  and  that 
knowledge  will  rarely  be  received,  when  the 
mind  and  heart  have  been  previously  filled 
with,  and  perverted  by,  a  mere  literary  or 
scientific  education.  If  the  people  of  God  will 
not  cast  divine  salt  into  these  fountains  of 
knowledge  to  sweeten  their  bitter  waters,  they 


EDUCATION.  61 

will  have  their  children  to  drink  of  the  unwhole- 
some streams  till  they  perish. 

Finally,  we  may  learn  from  this  subject  the 
importance  and  necessity  of  sustaining  with  the 
utmost  vigour,  and  to  the  utmost  extent,  our 
Sabbath  schools.  When  Christians  foolishly, 
if  not  wickedly,  suffered  the  Bible  and  its  hal- 
lowed influences,  to  be  banished  from  our  pri- 
mary schools,  God  graciously  led  to  the  adop- 
tion of  this  system  to  aid  his  depressed  cause, 
and  counteract  the  influence  of  irreligion  and 
infidelity.  And  no  one  can  tell  how  much 
good  has  been  effected  by  it.  It  will  probably 
be  long  before  the  Bible  will  again  be  in  gene- 
ral use  in  our  schools,  nor  will  it  be  effected 
without  a  long  and  severe  struggle.  But  shall 
the  young  be  neglected  till  that  object  is  ef- 
fected? That  would  postpone  the  day  indefi- 
nitely. The  Bible  will  be  restored  to  its  place 
and  ascendancy  by  the  hands  of  those  who 
shall  be  trained  to  its  love  and  knowledge  in 
our  Sabbath  schools.  The  Church  has  not  yet 
done  half  its  duty  in  this  field  of  labour  and 
Christian  enterprise.  The  number  of  those  to 
be  benefitted  by  this  means  can  easily  be  not 
only  doubled,  but  quadrupled.  Teachers  and 
scholars  can  both  be  obtained,  if  the  necessary 
exertions  are  only  made.  And  can  the  duty 
be  neglected  without  sin  ?    It  cannot  be  with- 

6 


62  LECTURE    II . E  D  U  C  A  T  I  O  N . 

out  inconceivable  danger  and  loss.  Let  it  then 
be  prosecuted  with  all  the  zeal  and  diligence 
which  its  importance  demands,  and  let  it  not  be 
delayed,  for  the  enemy  stands  ready  with  his 
tares.  Let  the  work  be  done,  and  speedily,  and 
well  done,  and  the  prediction  will  be  the  more 
speedily  accomplished,  "They  shall  be  all 
taught  of  God." 


LECTURE.    III. 

RECKLESSNESS  OF  HUMAN  LIFE. 

MATTHEW  XVI.  III. 

CAN  YE  NOT  DISCERN  THE  SIGNS  OP   THE  TIMES. 

Most  of  my  audience  will  probably  recollect 
that  their  attention  has,  on  two  former  occa- 
sions, been  directed  to  the  subject,  which  is  to 
be  further  prosecuted  this  evening.  On  the 
first  of  these  occasions,  the  great  Missionary 
aspect  of  the  times  was  considered.  On  the  se- 
cond, the  subject  of  Education  engaged  our  at- 
tention. It  appeared  that,  it  had  excited  a  much 
higher  interest,  and  obtained  a  much  more  ex- 
tensive diffusion  among  mankind  than  during 
any  former  period  of  the  history  of  our  race; 
that  from  the  present  state  of  the  world,  and 
the  general  and  growing  importance  which 
men  attached  to  the  subject,  it  would  probably 
diffuse  itself  over  the  whole  world;  that  it  will 
very  deeply  affect  both  the  minds  and  hearts 
of  men,  the  domestic  relations,  the  ordinary  in- 
tercourse of  life,  the  relations  between  nations, 
the  habits  of  life,  and  public  institutions,  both 
civil  and  religious ;  that  changes,  both  deep  and 
radical,  will  be  produced,  but  that  their  nature 


64  LECTUREIII. 

and  properties,  will,  under  God,  depend  upon 
the  nature  and  qualities  of  the  education  which 
shall  be  communicated — that  mere  intellectual 
culture  never  did  make  men  wise  and  good, 
nor  fit  them  to  fill  up  the  various  relations 
which  they  sustain  to  God  and  each  other  in  a 
manner  calculated  to  promote  the  best  inter- 
ests of  all  concerned;  that  God's  revealed  will, 
contained  in  the  sacred  Scriptures,  must  lie  at 
the  foundation  of  all  really  good  education,  and 
that  it  is  the  duty,  as  well  as  the  interest,  of 
all  who  know  its  value,  to  seek  its  accomplish- 
ment. I  now  proceed  to  direct  your  atten- 
tion, 

III.  To  the  small  value  which  is  apparently 
attached  to  human  life  in  our  country. 

Of  all  mere  earthly  good,  life  is  the  most 
valuable,  and  it  is  so  esteemed  by  men.  Hence 
the  dread  which  men  feel  about  loosing  it,  and 
the  pains  which  they  take,  and  the  expense 
which  they  incur,  to  preserve  it.  This  proba- 
bly arises,  in  no  small  degree,  from  the  uncer- 
tainty under  which  they  labour  with  respect  to 
their ,  condition  after  this  life,  and  the  connex- 
ion which  they  suppose  to  exist  between  the 
manner  in  which  they  shall  pass  their  lives 
here,  and  their  condition  hereafter.  But,  how- 
ever men  may  feel  or  act  with  respect  to  the 
subject,  God  evidently  sets  a  very  high  value 
on  human  life,  and  has  guarded  it  by  the  most 


RECKLESSNESS    OF    LIFE.  65 

solemn  sanctions.  This  was  his  language  to 
Noah  on  the  subject,  immediately  after  the 
flood,  and  was  therefore  designed  to  bind  all 
his  posterity.  "  And  surely  your  blood  of  your 
lives  will  I  require,  at  the  hand  of  every  beast 
will  I  require  it,  and  at  the  hand  of  man ;  at 
the  hand  of  every  man's  brother  will  I  require 
the  life  of  man.  Whoso  sheddeth  man's  blood, 
by  man  shall  his  blood  be  shed;  for  in  the 
image  of  God  made  he  man."  This  principle 
was  afterwards  incorporated  with  the  deca- 
logue. Three  exceptions  were  made  to  the 
rule.  1.  When  a  man  ignorantly,  and  without 
design,  was  the  cause  of  another's  death.  2. 
When  it  became  absolutely  necessary  to  take 
the  hfe  of  another  for  the  preservation  of  one's 
own  life.  3.  If  a  man  should  slay  a  thief  who 
attempted  to  break  into  his  house  at  night. 
For  such  cases  the  cities  of  refuge  were  pro- 
vided. 

From  this  it  will  appear  that  the  law  by 
which  God  protects  human  life  is  an  original 
divine  enactment,  prior  to,  and  independent  of, 
the  Jewish  dispensation,  and  must,  therefore, 
unless  God  has  repealed  it,  which  he  has  never 
done,  be  still  in  force.  It  is  not  to  be  denied  that 
the  Gospel  enforces  every  principle  of  the  mo^ 
ral  law^  and  makes  provision  to  sustain  it  by 
the  highest  motives,  while  it  abrogates  every 

6^ 


66  LECTUREIII. 

thing  which  was  merely  ceremonial  under  the 
former  dispensation.  It  was  objected  against 
the  Gospel  plan  of  salvation  by  grace  that  it 
made  void  the  law.  To  which  the  Apostle 
Paul  replies,  "  Do  we  then  make  void  the  law 
by  faith?  God  forbid:  yea,  we  establish  the 
law."  That  is,  the  Gospel  provides  an  ade- 
quate satisfaction  for  the  penalty  of  the  law  by 
the  death  of  Christ,  and  secures  a  better  obe- 
dience on  the  part  of  man,  by  higher  motives, 
from  the  influence  of  the  grace  of  God  on  his 
heart.  And  while  we  admit  that  the  Gospel 
throws  an  additional  safeguard  around  the  life 
of  man,  and  renders  it  greatly  more  probable 
that  he  will  regard  the  interests  of  his  fellow 
creatures  with  favour,  in  proportion  to  the  in- 
fluence which  the  grace  of  God  exercises  on 
his  heart,  we  must  at  the  same  time  deny  that 
it  has  freed  either  saint  or  sinner  from  the  mo- 
ral obligation  of  obedience,  or  the  transgressor 
from  the  penalty  by  which  God  sanctions  his 
law.  For  what  purpose  was  the  law  given? 
Paul  tells  us  in  writing  to  Timothy.  "  Know- 
ing this,  that  the  law  was  not  made  for  a  righ- 
teous man,  but  for  the  lawless  and  disobedient, 
for  the  ungodly  and  for  sinners,  for  ungodly  and 
profane,  for  murderers  of  fathers  and  murder- 
ers of  mothers,  for  manslayers;"  and  after  enu- 
merating a  number  of  other  crimes,   he  adds. 


RECKLESSNESS    OF    LIFE.  67 

"  And  if  there  be  any  other  thing  that  is  con- 
trary to  sound  doctrine,  according  to  the  glo- 
rious Gospel  of  the  blessed  God,  which  was 
committed  to  my  trust."  So  that  it  is  plain 
to  the  least  degree  of  discernment,  that  "  The 
glorious  Gospel  of  the  blessed  God,"  has  not 
only  not  abrogated  the  law,  but  established  it. 
Nay,  the  blessed  Saviour  himself  says,  "  Think 
not  that  I  am  come  to  destroy  the  law  and 
the  prophets:  I  am  not  come  to  destroy,  but 
to  fulfil.  For  verily  I  say  unto  you,  till  hea- 
ven and  earth  pass,  one  jot  or  title  shall  in  no 
wise  pass  from  the  law  till  all  be  fulfilled." 
That  is,  the  moral  law  shall  endure  while  God 
and  intelligent  creatures  exist. 

It  would  then  be  reasonable  to  suppose  that 
that  branch  of  the  law  which  guards  human 
life  would  be  respected  by  men  as  extensively 
as  they  had  knowledge  of  it,  particularly  where 
its  precepts  were  inculcated,  and  its  impor- 
tance and  sanctions  understood,  especially 
where  the  great  body  of  the  community  were 
intimately  connected  with  the  enactment  of 
laws,  and  equally  affected  by  their  character 
and  observance.  If  this  be  so,  then  should 
human  life  no  where  be  more  sacredly  regard- 
ed, or  be  considered  as  surrounded  by  strong- 
er safeguards  than  in  the  land  in  which  we 
dwell. 


68  LECTUREIII, 

No  where  else  are  freer  and  happier  institu- 
tions enjoyed.  We  are  in  the  habit  of  con- 
sidering the  providence  of  God  as  having  been 
directly  and  benignly  concerned  in  their  estab- 
lishment. We  view  with  unfeigned  admiration 
the  times  selected  by  God  for  the  discovery 
and  settlement  of  our  country,  the  revolution 
which  separated  us  politically  from  Great  Bri- 
tain, and  the  formation  of  our  government. 
If  America  had  been  discovered  sooner,  or  the 
northern  part  earlier  settled,  we  should  proba- 
bly have  been  a  nation  of  ignorant  and  super- 
stitious Cathohcs.  If  the  revolution  and  the 
establishment  of  our  institutions  had  been  only 
a  quarter  of  a  century  later,  the  deleterious  in- 
fluence of  infidelity  would  have  been  deeply 
felt,  and  left  its  broad  mark  upon  every  thing. 

Our  federal  constitution,  with  a  single  ex- 
ception, recognises  and  establishes,  on  the 
broadest  principles,  every  human  right.  In  no 
country  on  earth  is  so  large  a  proportion  of 
the  population  so  nearly  concerned  in  the  en- 
actment of  all  laws  by  which  the  land  is  gov- 
erned, through  the  extension  of  the  elective 
franchise.  Our  laws  are,  in  the  main,  good 
and  equal,  and  calculated  to  promote  the  in- 
terests, and  secure  the  rights  of  all.  In  no 
other  country  have  the  people  a  deeper  inter- 
est in  maintaining  the  supremacy  of  the  law, 


RECKLESSNESS    OF    LIFE.  69 

and  the  administration  of  equal  justice.     We 
are  distinguished   among  the  nations  of  the 
earth  for  the  extension  of  education,  and  the 
dissemination  of  intelHgence  among  the  mass 
of  the  people.     And  no  people  better  under- 
stand, and  more  highly  prize  their  rights.     We 
also  have  the  sacred  Scriptures,  that  volume 
of  divine  wisdom,  together  with  all  the  ordi- 
nances and  appliances  of  revealed  religion,  in 
as  pure  a  state,  and  rich  abundance,  as  they 
have  ever  been  enjoyed  on  earth.     Nor  have 
they   been  without  the   divine  blessing.     And 
with  respect  to  human  life,  we  know  that  God 
has  guarded  it  by  an  express  law,  the  penalty  of 
which  he  has  declared  to  be  death,  and  added 
to  it,  that  no  murderer  shall  inherit  the  king- 
dom of  heaven,  and  the  law  of  every  State  and 
Territory  in  this  wide  spread  union  denounces 
the  penalty  of  death  against  every  murderer* 
And  yet  it  is  a  fact,  that  notwithstanding  all 
the   light   which   we   enjoy,  and  all  the   safe- 
guards which  the  laws  both  of  God  and  man 
have  thrown  around  human  life,  a  large  num- 
ber of  lives   are   yearly  destroyed  either  by 
recklessness  or  violence. 

I  have  not  been  able  to  possess  myself  of 
the  statistics  on  the  subject,  but  it  is  known  to 
all  who  hear  me,  that  a  number  perish  yearly 
by  steamboats  on  the  waters  of  our  country. 


70  LECTUREIII. 

I  speak  not  here  of  the  ordinary  dangers  and 
casualties  connected  with  this  species  of  navi- 
gation, whether  on  the  ocean,  or  on  our  lakes 
and  rivers,  but  of  those  which  arise  from  the 
action  of  fire.  Several  of  these  vessels  have 
been  destroyed  by  fire,  and  with  them  a  con- 
siderable number  of  human  beings.  And  ex- 
plosions, more  or  less  destructive,  have  been  so 
frequent  during  the  season  of  navigation,  as  al- 
most to  be  expected  as  articles  of  weekly  intel- 
ligence. And  unless  the  destruction  of  human 
life  has  been  very  extensive,  or  the  circum- 
stances very  peculiar,  it  has  soon  passed  away 
with  trifling  animadversion,  been  soon  forgot- 
ten, slight  investigations  as  to  the  cause  or 
blame  worthiness  have  ensued,  and  but  little 
pains  have  been  taken  to  guard  against  the 
evil  in  future,  whether  it  has  resulted  from  de- 
fective construction,  or  carelessness  or  reck- 
lessness on  the  part  of  those  who  have  had  the 
management  of  the  concern.  Thus  have  many 
hundreds  of  lives  been  destroyed,  and  multi- 
tudes of  human  beings,  in  the  freshness  of  their 
sins,  been  hurried  into  the  presence  of  their 
Maker,  to  give  an  account  of  the  deeds  done 
in  the  body,  without  time  for  repentance  or 
warning  to  prepare.  But  it  seems  neither  to 
have  diminished  this  mode   of  travel,  nor  to 


RECKLESSNESS    OP    LIFE.  71 

have  increased  the  anxiety  of  those  who  were 
exposed  to  its  dangers. 

And  yet,  most  of  the  disasters  which  have 
occurred  have  arisen  from  the  inordinate  speed 
with  which  they  have  been  attempted  to  be  pro- 
pelled, or,  an  utter  inattention  to  the  state  of  the 
machinery.     Explosions  would  rarely,  if  ever, 
take  place,  with  a  competent  quantity  of  water 
in  the  boiler,  and  that  is  a  fact  which,  ordina- 
rily, may  easily  be  ascertained.     But,  with  the 
love  of  mastery  impelling  them,  men  are  often 
wilfully  blind  to  the  true  state  of  the  case,  or, 
through  the  hurry  produced  by  the  eageniess  of 
competition,  they  forget  their  duty,  even  when 
many  lives  are  dependant  on  it.   In  most  cases, 
the   disasters   which   occur,  arise   from   these 
causes.     Nor  are  the  managers  of  these  ves- 
sels the  only  ones  who  are  to  blame.     Passen- 
gers, not  only  stand  by  and  witness  the  hazard- 
ous and  reckless  competition  which  takes  place, 
without  remonstrance,  but  they  urge  them  on 
to  more  inordinate  exertion,  even  to  the  point 
of  destruction.    Nay,  in  commencing  a  journey, 
they  will  prefer  the  master  who  will  wage  the 
strife,  and  the  vessel  which  promises  success  in 
doing  it.     And  where  are  the  restraints  which 
are  imposed  on  the  practice,  either  by  public 
sentiment,  or  by  law? 

This  is  one  of  the  evil  spirits  of  the  age  in 


72  LECTUREIII. 

which  we  Hve,  which  needs  to  be  allayed;  one  of 
the  portentous  signs  of  these  times ;  one  of  the 
forms  of  hurry  into  which  the  human  mind  has 
been  thrown,  and  under  the  influence  of  which  it 
is  driving  headlong,  at  every  object  which  pre- 
sents itself  to  view,  without  regard  to  duty  or 
consequences.     Think  it  not  strange,  therefore, 
that  a  minister  of  the  Gospel  should  rebuke  this 
spirit  from   the  heights  of  Zion,  when  it  has 
brought  the  guilt  of  so  much  blood  upon  a  land 
so  deeply  indebted  to  the  Divine  goodness  as 
ours.     I  refer  to  the  subject,  to  show  that  hu- 
man life  is  valued  among  us  at  a  low  rate,  in- 
ducing greatly  less  care  of  it  than  its  impor- 
tance demands.     Such  accidents,  (as  they  are 
called,)  as  occur,  almost  weekly,  on  our  West- 
ern waters,  without  giving  rise  to  legal  investi- 
gation, or  stroiig  animadversion  in  the  public 
prints,  would,  in  almost  every  other  civilized 
country,  occasion  the  closest  legal  inquiry,  and 
be  frequently  followed  by  condign  punishment. 
Here,  even  the  public  press,  which   boasts  so 
high  a  degree  of  independence,  can,  with  diffi- 
culty, be  brought  to  publish  well  authenticated 
statements  of  facts,  where  influential  individuals 
or  companies  are  concerned.     For  this  reason, 
no  wholesome  public  sentiment  can  be  formed 
on  the  subject,  which  would  constrain  public 
functionaries  to  do  their  duty. 


RECKLESSNESS     OF    LIFE.  73 

A  still  more  distressing  and  alarming  feature, 
in  this  sign  of  the  times,  may  be  found  in  the 
lawless  violence  with  which  indviduals  and  com- 
panies assail  each  other's  lives,  and  the  rareness 
with  which  it  is  followed  by  adequate  punish- 
ment. In  a  country  of  laws^  and  boasting  itself, 
on  that  account,  to  be  the  happiest  and  freest 
on  earth,  many  constitute  themselves  their  own 
law,  and  judge,  and  executioner  of  their  own 
passionate  and  bloody  purposes.  You  will  rea- 
dily call  to  mind  the  Vicksburg  tragedy.  It  is 
true,  the  unhappy  sufferers  were  only  a  com- 
pany of  gamblers,  and  the  actors  professed  to 
be  influenced  by  a  desire  to  maintain  the  virtue 
and  safety  of  the  youth  upon  whom  the  harpies 
were  preying.  But  who  would,  or  could,  live 
in  a  community,  the  very  virtue  of  which  was 
thus  lawless  and  bloody?  And  how  ready  were 
they,  in  other  places,  to  follow  the  unblest  ex- 
ample, and  wdth  what  difficulty  were  they  re- 
strained? It  seemed  as  if  a  sympathetic  spirit 
pervaded  the  land  about  those  days.  Baltimore 
was  without  law  or  order  for  several  days,  nor 
were  they  restored  till  several  lives  were  lost. 
The  same  spirit  gave  rise  to  the  burning  of  the 
convent  at  Charlestown,  in  Massachusetts,  and 
the  election  and  flour  mobs  in  New  York. 
Even  our  own  peaceful  city,  as  you  know,  was, 
for  several  nights,  in  so  disturbed  a  state  as  to 

7 


74  LECTUREIII. 

excite  deep  and  serious  alarm.  Strong  appre- 
hensions even  began  to  be  entertained  by  the 
friends  of  order  throughout  our  land,  that  the 
time  was  rapidly  passing  away  when  every  man 
could  sit  in  peace  under  his  own  vine  and  fig- 
tree,  without  any  to  molest  or  make  him  afraid. 
And,  when  we  began  to  hope  that  this  foul 
spirit  had  departed,  we  became  painfully  con- 
vinced of  his  presence  and  influence,  at  Alton — 
the  more  painfully,  because  a  minister  of  the 
Gospel,  and  of  our  own  Church,  died  there,  "  as 
a  fool  dieth,"  with  arms  in  his  hands,  which  he 
had,  a  few  moments  before,  probably  used 
against  a  fellow  creature.  These  things  are  cal- 
culated to  humble  us  before  God,  as  they  have  dis- 
graced us  before  the  civilized  world.  Our  blessed 
institutions,  themselves,  have  been  impugned  on 
account  of  it,  and  our  citizens  have  been  ob- 
liged to  hang  their  heads  in  shame  and  mortifi- 
cation before  foreigners,  who  attribute  it  all  to 
those  very  institutions.  And,  what  is  worse 
than  all,  the  majesty  of  our  injured  laws  has 
not  been  vindicated.  Blood  still  cries  from  the 
ground  to  the  God  of  life! 

But  this  is  not  all.  Blood  has  been  shed,  in 
not  a  few  instances,  by  individuals,  as  well  as 
by  mobs,  who  were  inflamed  by  passion ;  and 
that,  not  merely  when  they  have  been  brought 
into  sudden  collision  with  each  other,  and  un- 


RECKLESSNESS     OF     LIFE.  75 

der  the  influence  of  highly  excited  passions,  but 
they  have  gone  about  the  work  of  death,  with 
the  cool  dehberation  of  the  practiced  dueihst, 
the  assassin  by  trade,  or  the  butcher  to  the 
slaughter  of  an  ox.  Men  do  not  even  seek  the 
darkness  and  secrecy  of  night  for  the  perform- 
ance of  such  works,  but  they  let  the  light  of 
day  shine  upon  them,  and  the  eyes  of  men  see 
them.  Within  a  few  months,  such  a  tragedy 
was  enacted  in  one  of  the  legislative  halls  of 
our  country.  What  will,  and  ought,  the  world 
to  think  and  say,  when  it  is  told,  that  the 
Speaker,  the  highest  officer  in  one  of  our  legis- 
lative assemblies,  in  the  presence  of  all  his 
brethren,  and  while  the  body  was  in  session, 
rose  up  from  his  official  seat,  walked  delibe- 
rately across  the  floor  to  where  his  companion 
was  seated,  and  stabbed  him  to  the  heart! 
What  must  we  think  of  the  morals  of  our 
country,  in  this  respect,  when  the  editor  of  a 
leading  public  journal  can  publish  to  the  world, 
that  he,  for  hours,  endeavored  to  find  a  man, 
that  he  might  maim  or  kill  him,  because  he 
would  not  meet  him  in  a  duel,  while  he  con- 
tinues his  occupation,  with  a  slightly  diminished 
subscription  list,  and  is  sustained  by  a  large 
number  of  patrons?  You  may,  probably,  find 
his  paper  in  most  of  the  reading-rooms  of 
Philadelphia,  and  it  would  not  surprise  me,  if  it 


76  LECTUREIII. 

were  the  first  paper  inquired  after  by  many. 
At  what  rate  is  human  Ufe  valued  in  our  coun- 
try, when  a  member  of  Congress  can  tell  his 
constituents,  and  through  them  the  American 
people,  that  he,  and,  by  implication,  all  others, 
go  to  the  seat  of  our  national  government,  in 
the  discharge  of  their  public  duties,  not  under 
the  protection  of  law,  but  in  dependence  on 
the  strength  or  skill  of  their  own  arms?  and 
who  denies  or  rebukes  the  assertion  ?  Nay,  he 
avers,  that  his  constituents  approve  of  it,  and 
will  sustain  him  in  it.  God  grant  that  he  may 
find  himself  mistaken. 

That  I  am  not  overstating  the  case  is  evident 
from  the  declared  fact,  that  in  large  portions  of 
our  country,  pistols  and  bowie-knives  are  the 
ordinary  travelling  companions  of  many ;  and 
that,  in  several  places,  many  men  go  thus 
armed  in  their  daily  avocations.  If  these 
things  are  not  so,  why  do  we  almost  daily  read 
in  our  public  prints,  of  one  being  stabbed,  and 
another  shot  down  in  the  public  streets?  And 
why,  in  several  of  the  States  of  the  Union, 
have  the  legislatures  passed,  or  attempted  to 
pass,  laws  to  prevent,  not  the  use,  but  the 
wearing  of  such  weapons?  And  why,  if  men 
are  not  afraid  of  personal  violence,  or  if  they 
do  not  intend  to  commit  violence  on  others,  do 
they  go  about,  among   their  fellow  creatures, 


RECKLESSNESS     OF    LIFE.  77 

thus  prepared  for  it?  Thus  scores,  perhaps  hun- 
dreds, perish  in  our  country  every  year.  These 
will  be  dark  lines  in  the  history  of  our  age  and 
country;  and  they  cannot  be  obliterated.  And, 
if  this  wave  of  blood  rolls  on,  it  will  wear  for 
itself  deeper  and  broader  channels,  until  this 
declaration  of  God  shall  be  verified  in  our 
country,  "  The  Lord  cometh  out  of  his  place 
to  punish  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  for  their 
inquity:  the  earth,  also,  shall  disclose  her 
blood,  and  shall  no  more  cover  her  slain." 
Are  we  not  in  danger  of  such  a  visitation  ? 

I  add  but  one  item  more  to  the  black  cata- 
logue, and  I  do  it  with  deep  pain,  because  it 
implicates  a  class  who  occupy  high  places, 
claim  great  deference,  and  the  influence  of 
whose  example,  whether  for  good  or  evil,  is  not 
easily  calculated— I  mean,  the  practice  of  duel- 
ling. I  would  define  a  duel  to  be,  a  personal 
contest  between  two  human  beings,  with  deadly 
weapons,  who  consider  themselves  and  their 
personal  concerns  to  be  of  such  immense  im- 
portance as  to  render  it  unsafe  and  improper  to 
have  them  regulated  or  controlled  by  the  laws 
either  of  God  or  man,  and  therefore,  throwing 
off  all  the  restraints  imposed  by  either,  take  the 
whole  subject  into  their  own  hands,  and  murder 
each  other,  to  prove  that  they  are  gentlemen. 
The  spirit  which  induces  the  practice  is  a  com- 


78  LECTUREIII. 

pound  of  pride,  malevolence,  vain  glory,  and 
lawlessness,  which  unfit  a  man  for  being  a 
wholesome  member  of  any  society,  or  from  fill- 
ing up  any  of  his  relations  in  a  becoming  man- 
ner. What  is  to  hinder  a  man,  who  for  certain 
purposes  feels  himself  to  be  above  all  laws,  both 
human  and  divine,  to  trample  upon  all  laws, 
when  his  convenience  or  passions  shall  prompt 
him  to  do  so  ?  what  security  has  a  country  that 
such  a  man  will  fulfil  any  trust  committed  to 
him?  that  he  will  not  stop  by  the  way  to  throw 
away  his  hfe,  or  make  himself  a  murderer?  It 
is  evident  that  the  law  of  God  will  not  restrain 
him,  for  he  sins  knowingly  and  wilfully  in  its 
very  face.  The  law  of  friendship  does  not  con- 
trol him,  for  many  a  friend  has  thus  fallen  by 
the  hand  of  his  friend.  The  duellist  is  not 
bound  by  the  ties  which  unite  hearts  in  the 
dearest,  sweetest,  and  most  holy  relations 
which  are  known  on  earth,  as  many  a  heart- 
broken widow,  and  hapless  orphan  can  testify. 
The  eternal  and  unmitigated  wrath  of  God  does 
not  stay  his  hand,  for  he  knows  that  "  no  mur- 
derer hath  eternal  life,"  and  yet  performs  the 
deed.  He  knows  that  no  duellist  can  stand  be- 
fore the  judgment  seat  of  Christ,  and  yet  he 
sends  his  fellow  creature  there  without  the  pos- 
sibility of  repentance. 

But  however  wicked  and  cruel  the  spirit  may 


RECKLESSNESS     OF     LIFE.  79 

be  in  itself,  and  however  inconsistent  with  all 
law,  human  and  divine,  and  however  hostile  to 
the  peace  and  order  of  society,  and  the  comfort 
of  individuals  and  families,  it  unhappily  exists, 
exercises  an  extensive  influence,  and  bears 
deadly  fruit,  in  this  land  in  which  we  have  a 
sufficiency  of  light  to  understand  our  rights  and 
duties,  and  law  enough  to  secure  our  persons 
and  privileges.  Even  here,  many  claim  the 
privilege  of  being  so  far  above  law  as  to  be 
both  the  judge  and  executioner  in  their  own 
cause,  even  to  the  taking  of  the  life  of  a  fellow 
creature — a  right  which  no  just  or  equal  law 
ever  concedes  to  the  most  upright  and  intelli- 
gent man  in  community,  if  the  interest  of  a  dol- 
lar were  involved  in  it.  The  presumption  upon 
which  the  law  is  founded  is  correct.  How  then 
can  a  man  be  entrusted  to  weigh  a  point  of 
honour,  a  mere  punctilio,  in  his  own  cause,  when 
in  almost  all  cases,  false  pride  sits  as  judge,  and 
passion  acts  the  double  part  of  witness  and  exe- 
cutioner? Yet  in  this  self-constituted,  partial, 
and  doubly-unlawful  court,  men  are  every 
month  tried  for  their  lives,  and  executed.  And 
while  the  blood  is  flowing,  and  widows  and  or- 
phans stand  by,  and  weep  in  speechless  agony, 
the  enlightened  freemen  of  these  United  States 
pass  by  on  one  side,  and  her  enlightened  Chris- 


80  LECTUREIII. 

tians  on  the  other ;  but  they  are  both  mute,  or 
speak  in  so  low  an  under-tone  that  nobody 
hears  them.  There  has  indeed  been  a  httle 
drowsy  grumbhng  on  account  of  a  recent  exhi- 
bition of  blood  at  the  seat  of  our  national  gov- 
ernment, but  not  enough  to  prevent  that  gov- 
ernment, with  the  exception  of  our  time  honour- 
ed Judiciary,  (and  may  God  bless  them  for  it,) 
from  officially  honouring  the  name  and  obsequies 
of  him  who  happened  to  be  the  victim,  and  con- 
tinuing to  sit  in  the  council  of  official  brother- 
hood with  the  survivors,  as  if  there  were  no 
stain  of  blood  on  their  souls.  And  a  portion  of 
our  countrymen  will  before  long  have  an  oppor- 
tunity of  proving  at  what  rate  they  value  hu- 
man blood,  thus  shed,  when  these  men  shall 
again  present  themselves  before  them  for  their 
suffrages. 

My  dear  hearers,  the  American  people  have 
many  stains  of  this  kind  fixed  upon  them.  This 
is  not  the  first,  nor  the  tenth,  nor  the  hundreth 
instance  which  has  occurred.  The  lawyer,  the 
physician,  the  legislator,  the  merchant,  and  the 
planter,  have  all  been  the  worshippers  and  the 
victims  of  this  bloody  Moloch.  And  why  are 
these  things  so  ?  Is  the  disease  incurable  ?  Is 
it  impossible  to  rectify  the  evil  ?  If  the  body  of 
the  American  people  do  not  approve  of  the  hor- 


RECKLESSNESS    OF     LIFE.  81 

rid  practice,  they  can  easily  abate  the  nuisance. 
They  can  create  a  public  sentiment  on  the  sub- 
ject before  which  no  man  can  stand.  Let  the 
subject  be  presented  before  the  public  in  its  true 
light  by  the  press.  Let  the  law  declare  every 
survivor  in  such  a  conflict  a  murderer,  and  deal 
with  him  accordingly.  Let  it  assign  a  place  for 
life  in  the  penitentiary,  where  death  does  not 
ensue,  to  both  principals  and  accessaries.  Let 
judges  and  jurors  render  verdicts  according  to 
law  and  evidence.  Let  there  be  no  pardoning 
power  which  can  reach  the  case.  Let  all  the 
parties  concerned  in  duels  be  for  ever  incapaci- 
tated from  holding  any  office  of  profit  or  trust. 
Let  the  public  press  cease  to  parade  duels  be- 
fore the  world  as  articles  of  intelligence.  Let 
the  public  treat  them  with  the  scorn  they  de- 
serve— and  let  survivors  be  made  responsible 
for  the  support  of  the  widows  and  orphans  of 
their  victims,  and  the  practice  would  not  long 
exist,  much  less  be  held  in  honour.  And  if  it  can 
be  suppressed,  who  should  be  held  responsible 
for  its  continuance  ? 

I  have  thus  endeavored,  my  dear  hearers,  to 
hold  up  to  your  view  one  of  the  dark  signs  of 
the  times  in  which  we  live — one  of  the  clouds 
which  obscure  our  country's  glory — one  of  the 
evils  which    mar    our   happy   lot,  hinder  our 


82  L  E  C  T  U  R  E    1 1  I  . 

prosperity,  and  may  draw  down  divine  judg- 
ments upon  us.  My  apology,  as  a  minister  of 
the  gospel,  if  it  be  necessary  to  make  one,  for 
exhibiting  such  a  subject  in  such  a  place,  is,  the 
nature  and  notoriety  of  the  facts  which  I  have 
stated,  their  bearing  upon  the  welfare  of  our 
country,  their  unhappy  influence  on  the  institu- 
tions of  religion,  the  unfrequency  of  their  being 
pressed  upoa  the  attention  of  the  people,  and 
the  command  of  God,  "Tell  my  people  their 
transgressions,  and  the  house  of  Jacob  their 
sins" — "  Give  them  warning  from  me."  I  do, 
therefore,  give  you  warning  from  God.  We 
are,  verily,  guilty  in  this  thing,  and  should  re- 
pent, and  do  works  meet  for  repentance.  It  is 
the  sin  of  our  day,  and  of  our  nation.  The 
w^hole  land  is  implicated.  Every  rank  is  impli- 
cated in  this  sin,  in  one  form  or  other,  for  we 
have  at  least  been  looking  on,  and  seeing  it, 
and  by  our  silence,  conniving  at  it,  instead  of 
lifting  up  our  voices  like  trumpets  against  it. 
I  speak  it  Avith  boldness,  but  with  great  sorrow, 
the  public  sentiment  of  our  country  favours  the 
light  estimation  in  which  human  hfe  is  held. 
The  proof  of  it  is  found  in  the  facts,  that  how- 
ever clear  the  proof  of  blood  guiltiness  may  be, 
it  is  difficult  to  find  a  jury  willing  to  convict  the 
culprit,  if  the  offence  be  capital,  although  jurors 


RECKLESSNESS     OF     LIFE.  83 

have  bound  themselves  by  the  oath  of  God,  to 
bring  in  a  verdict  according  to  law  and  evi- 
dence— and  greatly  more  pains  is  taken  to  pro- 
cure pardon,  or  mitigation  of  penalty,  in  such 
cases,  than  to  bring  the  most  grievous  offenders 
to  justice,  even  if  the  welfare  of  society,  as  well 
as  the  laws  of  God  and  man,  demand  their  con- 
dign punishment.  I  should  think  it  strange  that 
sinful  man  should  pretend  to  be  so  much  more 
merciful  than  that  God  who  gave  his  only  be- 
gotten Son  to  die  for  us,  did  I  not  remember 
that  "The  heart  is  deceitful  above  all  things, 
and  desperately  wicked."  If  this  were  not  so, 
it  would  be  impossible  that  men  should  feel  a 
deeper  sympathy  for  criminals,  than  for  the  hap- 
less victims  of  their  crimes.  I  consider  this 
spurious  sympathy  as  a  kind  of  premium  for 
half  the  blood  that  is  shed  by  private  hands  in 
our  country.  You  would  find  very  few  men 
ready  to  fight  duels,  or  stab  or  pistol  a  fellow 
creature  in  the  streets,  if  they  expected  to  be 
hung  for  it.  Put  them  under  the  wholesome 
restraint  of  the  fear  of  the  halter,  and  they 
would  soon  learn  to  set  a  higher  value  on  the 
lives  of  their  neighbours.  They  would  then 
weigh  them  in  opposite  scales  with  their  own — 
and  their  self-esteem  would  become  the  pledge 
of  their  neighbour's  safety. 


84  LECTUREIII. 

What,  then,  can  be  done  to  give  greater  se- 
curity to  human  Hfe?    to  repress  the  lawless 
and  violent,  and  keep  back  their  hands  from 
shedding  blood?     I  have  already,  in  part,  an- 
swered this  inquiry.     I  add,  that  God  claims  a 
special  right  in  the  life  of  man,  and  has  put  it 
under  the  shield  of  his  Divine  protection :    "  At 
the  hand  of  every  man's  brother  will  I  require 
the  life  of  man."     The  whole  community,  and 
every  man  in  it,  is  made  responsible  to  God  for 
the  personal  security  of  all  its  members,  and,  if 
a  human  hfe  be  unlawfully  taken,  the  guilt  rests 
on  the  community,  until  the  culprit  is  sought 
out  with  all  proper  diligence,  and  the  offender 
be  duly  punished.     Let  this  sentiment  be  faith- 
fully  inculcated;     let   conscience    be    enlight- 
ened on  the  subject ;  let  it  be  connected,  as  it 
should  be,  with  our  primary  relations  to  God ; 
let  it  be  impressed  on  the  minds  of  the  young, 
as    a    Divine    requirement;     make    them    ac- 
quainted with   the   fact,  that    they  have  been 
constituted   the   responsible   guardians  of  the 
lives  of  their  fellow  creatures  by  a  Divine  stat- 
ute ;  let  the  spurious  morality,  which  learns  its 
duty  from  the  sympathies  of  a  corrupt  heart, 
be  exploded ; — and  human  hfe  would  cease  to 
be  so   lightly  and   wickedly  assailed,  and    so 
wantonly  thrown  away. 


RECKLESSNESS     OF     LIFE.  85 

Above  all,  let  it  be  remembered,  that  human 
hfe  derives  its  principal  value  from  the  v^orth 
and  state  of  the  soul.  The  worth  of  the  soul 
no  man  can  measure,  who  cannot  measure  the 
amount  of  its  enjoyment  or  suffering  in  an  end- 
less state  of  existence,  or,  duly  estimate  the 
value  of  what  Christ  has  done  and  suffered  for 
its  salvation.  Its  salvation  depends  upon  its 
state  at  death ;  so  that,  he  who  cuts  off  the  life 
of  man  in  his  sins,  becomes  guilty  of  his  eternal 
damnation,  by  cutting  off  the  possibility  of  his 
salvation.  This,  I  suppose,  to  be  one  of  the 
reasons  why  God  has,  with  more  than  paternal 
solicitude,  guarded  the  life  of  man ;  and  this  is 
the  principal  reason  why  I  have  laboured  to  ex- 
pose so  many  of  the  ways  in  which  it  is  wan- 
tonly and  wickedly  abridged  in  this  age  and 
country.  May  we  not  read  God's  righteous 
retribution  for  our  wanton  disregard  of  human 
life,  in  the  blood  and  disasters  connected  with 
the  seemingly  interminable  war  which  we  are 
waging  against  the  remnant  of  a  tribe  of  In- 
dians ;  and  the  recklessness  with  which  a  por- 
tion of  our  citizens  appear  to  be  anxious  to 
hurry  us  into  a  w  ar  with  a  foreign  nation  ?  Is  it 
not  time  we  should  learn  the  worth  of  souls,  and 
avert  the  wrath  of  God,  by  caring  for  that  upon 
which  the  welfare  of  souls  depends — human 
life'?     Let  the  lesson,  then,  be   duly  and  dili- 


86    LECTURE    III. RECKLESSNESS,   &C. 

gently  inculcated.  And  let  us  endeavour,  if  we 
cannot  remove  this  portentous  cloud,  pregnant 
with  wrath  for  blood,  from  our  horizon,  to 
spring  across  it  the  bow  of  promise,  by  seek- 
ing for  our  country  the  forgiving  love  and  the 
restraining  grace  of  God. 


LECTURE    IV. 

GOD'S  FROWNS  AGAINST  COVETOUSNESS. 

MATTHEW  XVI.  III. 
CAN  YE  NOT  DISCERN  THE  SIGNS  OF  THE  TIMES. 

On  the  last  occasion,  when  this  subject  engaged 
our  attention,  we  considered  "  the  cheap  rate 
at  which  human  hfe  was  held  in  our  country," 
as  one  of  the  unhappy  signs  of  the  times  in 
which  we  live.  It  was  then  remarked,  that 
notwithstanding  the  strictness  and  care  with 
wiiich  the  Lord  had  guarded  human  life,  there 
were  four  ways  in  which  it  was  wantonly  as- 
sailed, and  foolishly  or  wickedly  thrown  away 
in  this  age  and  country :  viz.  "  by  the  reckless 
manner  in  which  steamboats  are  navigated 
upon  the  waters  of  our  country;  by  the  un- 
governable passions  of  mobs ;  by  the  unlawful 
possession  and  use  of  deadly  weapons  in  the 
ordinary  intercourse  of  life ;  and,  by  the  prac- 
tice of  duelling.  It  appeared,  that  hundreds  of 
lives  were  thus  wickedly  sacrificed  every  year ; 
and  that  this  arose,  principally,  from  the  disre- 
gard of  God's  law^  on  the  subject,  and  the  diffi- 
culty of  procuring  the  adequate  punishment  of 


88 


LECTURE     IV. 


those  who  treated  the  hves  of  their  fellow  crea- 
tures so  lightly. 

The  picture,  which  truth  and  duty  obliged 
me  to  present  to  your  view  was  both  horrible 
and  appalling.  It  is  a  melancholy  considera- 
tion, that  in  a  country  so  enlightened,  so 
blessed  of  God  in  every  respect,  life,  so  valu- 
able on  every  account,  should  be  the  sport  of 
diabolical  passions ;  and  that  a  people,  calling 
themselves  Christian,  should  so  far  tolerate  the 
evil  as  to  make  it  the  sin  of  the  nation.  That 
it  should  subject  us  to  the  frowns  of  Jehovah, 
ought  not  to  be  surprising,  when  it  is  remem- 
bered, that  he  values  the  soul  of  man  at  the 
price  of  his  Son's  blood.  There  is  enough  in 
this  subject,  as  connected  with  our  country,  to 
make  us  mourn  and  tremble.  This,  however, 
is  not  the  only  sign  which  is  worthy  of  our 
serious  attention  as  Christians,  and  American 
citizens.  I  design  to  direct  your  attention,  in 
the  prosecution  of  my  object,  from  time  to 
time,  to  some  of  the  aspects  of  Divine  Provi- 
dence towards  our  land.  These,  if  they  are 
carefully  and  attentively  studied,  may  furnish 
us  with  some  important  lessons  of  practical 
wisdom.  Says  the  Psalmist,  in  the  view  of 
God's  deahngs  with  the  children  of  Israel, 
"  Whoso  is  wise,  and  will  observe  these  things, 
even  they  shall  understand  the  loving-kindness 


COVETOUSNESS.  89 

of  the  Lord."  The  folly,  as  well  as  wicked- 
ness, of  those  who  disregard  the  judgments  of 
God,  is  declared  in  these  words:  "Therefore 
he  hath  poured  upon  him  the  fury  of  his  anger, 
and  the  strength  of  battle :  and  it  hath  set  him 
on  fire  round  about,  yet  he  knew  not ;  and  it 
burned  him,  yet  he  laid  it  not  to  heart."  The 
lines  of  Divine  Providence  do,  at  least,  some- 
times teach  men  their  characters,  and  the  light 
in  which  God  views  them.  Is  there  any  thing, 
then,  in  God's  dealings  with  us,  which  is 
worthy  of  special  notice?  Yes,  my  hearers, 
there  are  several  things.  Let  me  direct  your 
attention, 

IV.  To  the  monied  concerns  of  our  country^ 
as  the  fourth  sign  of  the  times. 

There  are  those  now  living,  who  have  a  dis- 
tinct recollection  of  our  condition  when  we 
came  out  of  the  perils  and  trials  of  the  revo- 
lutionary struggle,  few  in  number,  the  country 
almost  a  wilderness,  well  nigh  without  law  or 
government,  deeply  involved  in  debt,  and  with 
few  resources.  The  man  who  possessed  a  few 
hundreds  of  dollars  thought  himself  well  off; 
and  the  possessor  of  a  few  thousands  w^as  es- 
teemed rich.  What  changes  have  taken  place? 
A  few  years  have  passed,  and  the  little  one  has 
become  a  thousand.  Our  population  has  more 
than  twice  doubled.     The  wilderness  has,  very 

8* 


90  LECTUREIV. 

extensively  disappeared,  and  the  fruitful  field 
has  taken  its  place ;  a  regular  and  happy  frame 
of  government  has  been  organized ;  wholesome 
laws  have  been  enacted;  villages,  towns,  and 
cities,  have  every  where  sprung  up;  schools, 
academies,  and  colleges,  have  been  instituted  in 
every  part  of  the  land ;  facilities  for  intercom- 
munication between  every  part  of  this  widely 
extended  country,  by  turnpikes,  railroads,  ca- 
nals, and  navigation  by  steam,  have  never  been 
exceeded  in  any  age  or  country ;  and,  agricul- 
ture, manufactures,  and  commerce,  have  been 
pursued  with  untiring  industry,  and  great  suc- 
cess. The  improvement  and  advancement  of 
this  country  have  had  no  parallel  in  the  history 
of  nations. 

The  speaker  can  remember  when  the  States 
of  Alabama,  Louisiana,  Mississippi,  Indiana, 
Missouri,  Arkansas,  Illinois,  Michigan,  Ten- 
nessee, Kentucky,  Ohio,  half  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  all  of  New  York  lying  west  of  Utica,  were 
a  wilderness.  When  there  was  neither  turn- 
pike, railroad,  canal,  or  steamboat,  in  the 
Union.  When  any  species  of  manufacture 
scarcely  extended  beyond  the  family.  When 
there  were,  probably,  not  as  many  traders  in 
the  United  States  as  the  city  of  New  York 
might  have  furnished  two  years  ago.  When, 
the  colleges  of  the  country  consisted  of,  Har- 


COVETOUSNESS.  91 

vard,  Yale,  Dartmouth,  Columbia,  Princeton, 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  and  William 
and  Mary's,  in  Virginia.  And,  when  there  was 
no  post-office  in  the  State  of  New  York  west 
of  Schenectady. 

What  amazing  changes  have  taken  place! 
greater,  perhaps,  in  nothing,  than  in  the  in- 
crease of  wealth.  This  may  be  attributed,  un- 
der God,  to  the  character  of  our  population, 
the  spirit  of  the  age,  and  the  state  of  Europe. 
The  American  people  were  a  hardy,  enterpris- 
ing, active,  and  industrious  race  of  men.  The 
human  mind  received  an  impulse  at  the  Refor- 
mation which  it  has  never  lost.  This,  was 
partly  owing  to  the  revival  of  letters,  and  the 
greatly  extended  spread  of  education;  partly 
to  the  discovery  of  America,  and  the  passage 
to  India  by  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  and  the 
influence  of  both  on  commerce,  and  the  art  of 
printing ;  and  partly,  to  the  excitement  of  the 
human  mind,  by  the  influence  of  religious  prin- 
ciple. This  impulse  was  re-invigorated  by  our 
revolution,  and  strengthened  by  the  course  of 
events  which  grew  out  of,  and  followed  it  in 
Europe.  I  allude,  particularly,  to  the  wars 
connected  with  the  French  revolution. 

The  effect  of  these  upon  the  American  peo- 
ple was  circumstantially  peculiar,  but  natural. 
We  were  a  3^oung,  enterprising  people,  sprung 


92  LECTUREIV. 

from  a  commercial  stock,  and  locally  con- 
nected with  the  ocean.  The  preponderance  of 
tlie  British  on  that  element,  made  us  the  car- 
riers of  the  other  nations,  and,  for  certain  pur- 
poses, of  the  British  themselves ;  and  thus,  we 
became  commingled  with  the  commerce  of  the 
world.  The  employment  of  such  vast  masses 
of  men  in  war,  sensibly  affected  the  agriculture 
of  Europe,  created  a  demand  for  our  bread- 
stuffs,  and  quickened  us  in  agricultural  pursuits. 
And  the  war  of  1812,  with  England,  called  into 
existence  our  manufactures.  By  this  combina- 
tion of  circumstances,  we  have  not  only  be- 
come one  of  the  most  active  and  enterprising 
nations  on  the  face  of  the  earth,  but  one  of  the 
most  successful  and  prosperous  in  every  branch 
of  productive  industry. 

The  effect  of  all  this  has  been  truly  astonish- 
ing. Such  a  career  of  prosperity  has,  perhaps, 
never  before  been  run.  The  same  proportional 
number  has  probably,  in  no  other  age  or  coun- 
try, in  an  equal  space  of  time,  advanced  from 
small  beginnings,  not  only  to  competence,  but 
to  wealth  and  exuberance.  The  earth  has 
brought  forth  by  handfuls,  and  every  branch 
of  industry  has  flourished  and  been  productive. 
Does  the  history  of  nations  furnish  a  parallel 
to  our  apparent  prosperity,  and  the  buoyancy 
of  our  hope  of  the  future,  two  or  three  years 


COVETOUSNESS.  93 

ago?  Like  the  Church  of  Laodicea,  we  were 
"  rich,  and  increased  with  goods,  and  had  need 
of  nothing."  Our  "  mountain  stood  strong," 
and  we  said,  "  I  shall  never  be  moved."  Our 
prosperity  seemed  like  the  waters  of  the  river 
of  Egypt,  the  source  of  exhaustless  fertility. 
The  harvest  was  rich  and  ripe,  and  the  field 
boundless;  and  it  was  but  for  every  man  to 
put  in  his  sickle,  and  fill  his  bosom  with  the 
sheaves.  Any  body  might  grow  rich  that  had 
the  resolution  to  will  it.  If  a  man  had  skill 
enough  to  draw  a  map  of  a  city  on  a  sheet  of 
paper,  he  could  make  a  fortune  in  a  month. 
Our  hundreds  became  thousands,  and  our  thou- 
sands were  multiplied  into  millions.  The 
whole  public  mind  was  not  only  agitated  under 
the  influence  of  this  unparalleled  prosperity, 
but  there  was  an  expansion  of  grasp,  of  desire, 
and  of  hope,  which  saw  neither  end  nor  limit 
to  the  acquisition  of  this  world's  goods.  Few 
doubted  their  ability  to  obtain  their  desires, 
and  few  were  careful  to  confine  their  desires 
within  reasonable  or  moderate  bounds.  And  it 
seemed,  for  a  time,  as  if  the  Lord  was  about 
to  gratify  them  to  more  than  the  extent  of  rea- 
sonable wishes  on  the  subject.  If  the  wishes 
of  men  had  been  reasonable,  multitudes  might 
have  said :  "  Thou  hast  goods  laid  up  in  store 
for  many  years ;  take  thine  ease."     But,  while 


94 


LECTURE     IV. 


Providence  smiled,  few  could  find  it  in  their 
hearts  to  retire  from  the  career  they  were  run- 
ning. Let  it  suffice  to  say,  that  this  mighty 
river,  swelled  by  a  thousand  tributary  streams, 
became  broader,  and  deeper,  and  more  rapid, 
as  it  rolled  along  before  the  admiring,  and  still 
longing  eyes  of  our  countrymen,  as  they  were 
moving  on  with  its  current. 

This  flood  attained  its  height  about  three 
years  ago.  There  were  indeed  observed,  by 
nice  discerners,  some  two  years  before,  certain 
motions  about  these  rolling  w^aters,  which  indi- 
cated, not  only  the  presence  of  a  disturbing 
force,  but  the  decay  of  the  flood.  Then  came 
a  sudden  sinking  of  the  water,  which  some 
called  in  derision,  "  a  panic,"  but  w  hich  wiser 
men  considered,  and  the  event  has  verified 
their  wisdom,  as  the  precursor  of  a  deep,  if  not 
of  a  rapid  decline.  It  is  true,  a  number  of 
barques  were  shattered  or  overwhelmed ;  but 
they  were  represented  to  have  been  unsound 
and  feeble.  Others  ran  aground;  but  they 
were  supposed  to  have  been  badly  managed,  or 
overloaded.  But  the  hope  still  was,  that  the 
interruption  of  our  prosperity  would  be  very 
partial  and  brief.  Our  spirits  were  still  buoy- 
ant, and  our  hope  strong.  Still,  one  change 
kept  following  another,  but  none  brought  the 
desired  relief. 


COVETOUSNESS.  95 

Our  currency  and  exchanges  became  de- 
ranged. Business  became  unsafe,  interrupted, 
unprofitable,  diminished.  The  grand  produc- 
tive staple  of  our  country  would  not  command 
two-thirds  of  its  former  price,  which  rendered 
it  impossible  for  us  to  pay  our  foreign  debts, 
without  draining  us  of  the  precious  metals ;  de- 
ranging further  the  currency,  and  depressing 
the  business  of  the  country.  The  evil  was  in- 
creased, by  the  necessity  which  obliged  us  to 
import  bread-stuffs  for  the  support  of  human 
life ;  by  the  want  of  stated  and  profitable  em- 
ployment for  hundreds  of  thousands  of  our  in- 
habitants; by  the  increased  price  of  the  ne- 
cessaries of  life,  and  the  diminished  means  of 
procuring  them ;  by  the  stagnation  of  the  pro- 
ductive industry  of  the  country;  by  the  de- 
struction of  millions  of  property,  by  extensive 
conflagrations  in  several  of  our  cities ;  and,  by 
the  lack  of  that  confidence  which  transfuses 
life  and  spirit  into  all  the  concerns  of  fife. 

Now,  be  the  causes  what  they  may,  these 
are  the  facts  of  the  case,  known,  acknowledged, 
and  felt,  in  every  part  of  our  land,  and  in  every 
department  of  business,  and  of  life.  The 
change  is  every  where  manifest  and  felt;  in 
the  city,  and  in  the  country ;  on  the  land,  and 
on  the  water;  in  the  counting-house,  in  the 
manufactory,   in   the   workshop,   and    on    the 


96  LECTUREIV. 

farm.  Without  any  national  disaster,  sweep- 
ing pestilence,  blighting  drought,  devastating 
and  destructive  war,  or  overwhelming  provi- 
dence, we  have,  in  a  comparatively  short  time, 
descended,  I  cannot  say,  fallen — for  we  have 
scarcely  felt  a  shock — from  a  state  of  the  most 
high  and  palmy  prosperity,  to  a  state  of  de- 
pression which  has  deeply  affected  a  whole 
people  in  all  their  interests.  Some  have 
been  ruined;  some  have  been  maddened:  all 
have  felt  it.  It  has  indeed  been  a  great 
change.  It  has  come  upon  us,  in  a  great  de- 
gree, unexpectedly.  Who  has,  or  could  have, 
anticipated  it? 

I  am  aware  that  this  change  has  been  at- 
tributed to  a  variety  of  causes.  We  have  all 
heard  of  the  United  States  Bank;  the  removal 
of  the  deposites;  the  refusal  to  renew  the 
charter  of  that  institution ;  the  specie  circular ; 
the  surplus  revenue ;  trading  on  borrowed  capi- 
tal ;  over-issues  on  the  part  of  the  banks ;  the 
inordinate  increase  of  these  institutions;  and, 
the  speculations  in  the  public  lands.  All  these 
have  been  represented,  by  one  and  another,  as 
having  contributed  to  produce  this  state  of 
things.  One  has  found  the  cause  in  one  thing ; 
and  others,  in  another.  My  hearers,  however, 
do  not  expect  me,  standing  on  these  heights  of 
Zion,  to  enter  into  the  political  or  economical 


COVETOUS  NESS.  M 

considerations  which  stand  connected  with  the 
subject.  Nor  shall  they  have  occasion,  justly, 
to  accuse  me  of  it.  This  portentous  sign  of 
the  times,  upon  which  we  have  fallen,  has 
other  aspects,  of  a  more  important  and  solemn 
character,  to  which  the  Christian  observer, 
standing  on  his  watch-tower,  may  more  profit- 
ably turn  his  attention,  and  from  which  he  may 
read  to  his  hearers  lessons  of  practical  wisdom, 
involving  their  highest  interests. 

Neither  our  present  state,  nor  the  one  which 
preceded  it,  were  irrespective  of  the  govern- 
ment of  God,  and  our  allegiance  to  him. 
While  rain  and  fruitful  seasons,  and  every 
earthly  good,  are  Divine  gifts,  coming  down 
from  the  Father  of  lights,  "affliction  cometh 
not  forth  of  the  dust,  neither  doth  trouble 
spring  out  of  the  ground."  If  God  has 
changed  his  face  towards  us,  there  is  a  reason 
for  it,  and,  more  than  probably,  that  reason 
may  be  found  in  ourselves.  Of  the  truth  of 
this  I  am  fully  persuaded.  Will  my  hearers  in- 
dulge me  with  their  undivided  and  prayerful  at- 
tention, while  I  endeavour  to  show  why  the 
Lord  has  brought  us  into  our  present  circum- 
stances. 

The  pursuit  of  wealth  among  us  has  been 
eager.  The  love  of  gain  has  been  a  perfect 
passion — the  master  passion,  which,  like  Aa- 

9 


98  LECTUREIV. 

ron's  rod,  has  swallowed  up  all  the  others.     It 
has  pervaded  all  ranks  and  professions.     Men 
of  business  have  been  dissatisfied  with  the  slow 
returns  and  moderate  profits,  which  were  once 
thought    desirable    and    sufficient,    and    have 
spread  themselves  out,  not  only  to  the  extent 
of  their  capital,  but   of  their  credit.     Profes- 
sional men  hav^  become  dissatisfied  with  the 
decent   competence   arising  from  their  profes- 
sional labours,  and  rushed  into  the  vortex  of 
speculation.     Christians  have  forgotten,  if  they 
ever  learned,  those  lessons  of  moderation  and 
contentment,  which  are  so  fully  inculcated  by 
the  word  and  grace  of  God,  and,  identifying 
themselves  with  the  lovers  of  the  present  world, 
have  spread  every  sail,  to  catch  every  breath 
of  this  contaminated  air,  if  it  only  promised  to 
make  them  suddenly  rich.     Even  the  sacred 
ministry  of  the  blessed  Jesus,  whose  disciple 
no  man  can  be  without  denying  himself,  have 
been  draw^n  into  this  whirlpool,  and    already 
stand  as  beacon-lights,  to  warn  their  brethren 
of  the  dangers  of  this  coast,  already  thickly 
strewed   with   wrecks.      Our   children,  in   the 
greenness  of  their  youth  and  inexperience,  are 
learning  the  lesson  so  effectually,  as  to  grudge 
the  time  spent  in  receiving  their  education,  be- 
cause it  detains  them  from   the   embraces  of 
mammon. 


COVETOUSNESS.  99 

In  hearts  thus  occupied  and  exercised,  it  is 
manifest  there  can  be  Uttle  room  for  the  love  of 
God  and  better  things ;  and  if  the  good  seed 
should,  perchance,  take  root  and  vegetate,  it 
will  produce  a  feeble,  sickly  plant,  because 
overshadowed  by  this  deadly  tree.  What  else 
do  the  Scriptures  teach:  "If  any  man  love 
the  world,  the  love  of  the  Father  is  not  in 
him."  "Lay  not  up  for  yourselves  treasures 
upon  earth,  where  moth  and  rust  doth  corrupt, 
and  where  thieves  break  through,  and  steal: 
for  where  your  treasure  is,  there  will  your 
heart  be  also."  "  He  that  maketh  haste  to  be 
rich  shall  not  be  innocent."  "  They  that  will 
be  rich,  fall  into  temptation  and  a  snare,  and 
into  many  foolish  and  hurtful  lusts,  which 
drown  men  in  destruction  and  perdition.  For 
the  love  of  money  is  the  root  of  all  evil; 
which  while  some  men  coveted  after,  they  have 
erred  from  the  faith,  and  pierced  themselves 
through  with  many  sorrows.  But  thou,  O  man 
of  God,  flee  these  things." 

Many  unhappy  consequences  flow  from  the 
love  and  eager  pursuits  of  the  world.  God  is 
very  unapt  to  be  kept  in  the  thoughts  and 
hearts  of  such  men.  They  rarely  make  suit- 
able returns  of  love  and  gratitude  to  God  for 
the  rich  gifts  of  his  providence.  They  seldom 
use  a  due  proportion  of  them  to  promote  his 


100  LECTURE     IV. 

glory,  or  the  good  of  their  fellow  creatures. 
They  often  lose  that  deep  sense  of  dependence 
which  should  characterize  creatures  who  "  live, 
move,  and  have  their  being"  in  God.  They 
are  in  great  danger  of  growing  proud  and  self- 
sufficient,  leaning  to  their  own  understandings, 
and  ascribinof  their  success  to  their  own  skill. 
They  seldom  retain  or  exercise  the  love  of  God 
and  spiritual  things — wearying  out  their  minds, 
and  hearts,  and  lives,  with  the  love  and  pursuit 
of  the  world.  They  have  neither  time,  nor 
heart,  to  seek  and  enjoy  God  and  his  grace. 
What  they  have  gained,  as  they  think,  by  their 
own  skill  and  industry,  they  feel  at  liberty  to 
expend  for  their  own  gratification,  in  pamper- 
ing "  The  lust  of  the  flesh,  and  the  lust  of  the 
eyes,  and  the  pride  of  life."  All  these,  in  a 
greater  or  less  degree,  and  with  various  cir- 
cumstantial modifications,  are  the  natural  re- 
sults of  the  love  and  pursuit  of  riches^ — a  pas- 
sion, by  the  inordinate  exercise  of  which,  our 
age  and  country  are  so  strikingly  distinguished, 
and  which  God  has  so  signally  rebuked,  by 
the  course  of  his  providence. 

1  say,  "  God  has  so  signally  rebuked  us,"  for 
neither  truth  nor  duty  will  permit  us  to  lose 
siffht  of  Him  while  lookins^  at  second  causes — 
for  he  is  The  Cause  of  all  causes.  Hence  it  is 
written,   "I  form   the  light,  and  create  dark- 


COVETOUSNESS.  101 

nessr  I  make  peace,  and  create  evil:  I,  the 
Lord,  do  all  these  things."  He  sent  us  all  that 
exuberant  prosperity  for  which  we  had  not  the 
grace  to  be  thankful,  and  which  we  did  not  use 
for  his  glory.  Like  Jeshurun,  we  "  waxed  fat, 
and  kicked."  Our  well-spread  table  became  a 
snare  to  us.  And  if  it  were  true,  that  our  ru- 
lers were  never  so  deeply  implicated  in  the  re- 
verses which  we  have  suffered — if  they  were 
as  unwise  and  bad  as  their  worst  enemies  have 
represented  them  to  be — yet  have  they  been 
given  to  us  of  God,  upon  our  own  choice ;  we, 
being  left  to  choose  them^  and  they  being  left  to 
pursue  measures,  by  which  God  is  punishing  us 
for  this  great  sin  of  which  we  have  been  guilty. 
The  very  stroke  of  God's  hand,  tells  us  of  the 
nature  of  the  sin  for  which  he  is  visiting  us,  for 
he  has  laid  his  hand  on  the  very  idol  which  we 
have  set  up  in  his  place.  The  extent  of  the 
visitation  indicates,  that  the  sin  is  a  national 
one ;  and  the  weight  of  the  stroke,  that  the  sin 
is  grievous.  Covetousness  is,  in  the  Scrip- 
tures, declared  to  be,  idolatry — and  idolatry 
is  that  abominable  thing  which  the  soul  of 
the  Lord  hates.  He  will  no  more  give  his 
glory  to  it,  than  he  will  give  it  to  graven 
images. 

Judge  of  the  evil  by  the  punishment.     You 
account  it  no  small  evil  to  see  the  riches  and 


102  LECTURE     IV. 

prosperity  of  such  a  land  as  this  prostrated — to 
see  so  many  hundreds  of  thousands,  almost 
without  employment,  and  strugghng  for  a  bare 
subsistence.  Nor  have  the  sufferings  of  those 
who  have  been  ruined  in  their  circumstances, 
nor  of  those  who  have  been  expecting  to  have 
the  stroke  fall  upon  them,  been  small.  Think 
not  lightly,  then,  of  the  sin  which  has  caused 
it.  This  evil  has  not  sprung  from  the  dust. 
It  is  not  a  sin  of  yesterday.  It  had  its  birth 
in  the  first  dawn  of  our  prosperity,  and  has 
been  growing  with  our  growth,  and  strengthen- 
ing with  our  strength.  Nor  will  it  be  easily 
eradicated.  It  has  felt  the  knife  before,  but 
the  wound  has  not  been  healed.  God  has  now 
cut  down  to  the  bone,  but  the  sore  still  runs, 
and  is  in  danger  of  becoming  a  gangrene,  for 
the  worshippers  of  mammon  still  stand  by  the 
side  of  their  fallen  idols,  bedew  his  image  with 
their  tears,  and  long  for  the  time  when  they 
shall  set  it  in  its  place,  and  repair  its  injuries, 
and  gild  its  face  afresh,  and  fall  down  and  wor- 
ship it. 

Let  us  then  endeavour  to  think  of  this  evil 
which  we  are  suffering  as  a  divine  infliction 
upon  us  for  the  ardour  with  which  we  have 
loved,  and  the  eagerness  with  which  we  pur- 
sued the  world. — It  was  said,  as  a  matter  of 
high  praise,  of  the  inhabitants  of  a  sister  city, 


COVETOUSNESS.  103 

(New  York,)  when  they  suffered  by  that  dread- 
ful conflagration,  in  December,  1835,  that  their 
spirits  were  so  unbroken  by  the  visitation  that 
within  a  very  few  days  some  were  engaged  in 
re-building,  and  others  advertising  their  goods, 
as  if  nothing  had  happened.  To  me,  in  com- 
mon with  many  others,  the  language  and  con- 
duct appeared  but  little  less  than  heaven-daring 
and  impious.  It  may  serve  to  show  that  the 
heart  is  not  touched;  but  whether  the  heart 
should  not  feel  such  a  pressing,  and  bow  very 
low  before  God  under  it,  is  quite  another  ques- 
tion. My  hearers,  the  hand  of  God  was  in 
that  conflagration,  and  the  hand  of  God  is  in 
the  losses  and  sufferings  which  the  American 
people  have  experienced.  And  shall  they  not 
both  feel  and  acknowledge?  The  calamity 
may  be  removed,  for  aught  I  know,  although 
we  may  feel  and  act  like  stoics  or  brutes  under 
it.  But  sure  I  am  it  will  never  be  sanctified. 
Hear  God's  words  on  this  point — "I  will  go 
and  return  unto  my  place  till  they  acknowledge 
their  offence,  and  seek  my  face." — "Now,  no 
chastening  for  the  present  seemeth  to  be  joy- 
ous, but  grievous :  nevertheless,  afterward  it 
yieldeth  the  peaceable  fruit  of  righteousness, 
unto  them  which  are  exercised  thereby." — 
Want  of  feeling  under  such  a  calamity  as  that 
which  we  have  suffered,  should  be  as  deeply 


104  LECTURE    IV. 

deplored  as  the  calamity  itself.  Then  God 
might  say  of  us  as  he  said  of  ancient  Israel : 
"  Why  should  ye  be  stricken  any  more  ?  Ye 
will  revolt  more  and  more." 

Let  us  then  acknowledge  the  divine  hand  in 
our  sufferings,  as  inflicting  chastisement  upon 
us  for  our  sins;  and  let  us  humble  ourselves 
under  his  mighty  hand.  This,  however,  we 
shall  scarcely  do  till  we  think  more  of  God, 
and  less  of  man  in  connexion  with  this  sign  of 
the  times.  In  this  we  shall  be  greatly  assisted 
by  turning  our  eyes  inward,  and  examining  our 
own  hearts  on  the  subject.  Are  we  personally 
innocent  concerning  this  thing?  Have  we 
never  bowed  before  this  idol?  Is  there  ne'er 
a  wedge  of  gold,  or  Babylonish  garment  hid- 
den in  our  tent?  Have  we  not  coveted  in- 
creasing wealth,  and  desired  rapid  accumula- 
tion ?  Have  we  not  been  pained  even  to  anger, 
at  the  interruption  and  reverses  which  we  have 
experienced?  Then  our  calamities  have  not 
been  sanctified,  and  we  are  not  prepared  for 
their  removal.  If  the  Lord  should  remove  the 
pressure  of  his  hand,  we  should  go  on  as  we 
did  before.  And  this,  I  fear,  is  the  case  with 
the  great  body  of  the  American  people.  They 
seem  to  me  to  consider  themselves  as  more 
sinned  against  than  sinning — as  having  been 
brought  into  their  present  state  by  the  blunders 


COVETOUSNESS.  105 

and  sins  of  their  fellow  creatures — as  if  the 
retributive  providence  of  God  had  but  little  to 
do  with  it — and  as  if  they  were  ready  to  spring 
forward  with  fresh  alacrity  and  delight  in  the 
same  career,  the  moment  the  Lord  should  take 
off  the  restraints  by  which  he  is  now  holding 
them  in  check.  If  such  should  be  the  case,  we 
shall  soon  prepare  ourselves  for  a  new  and 
sorer  visitation,  unless  it  should  be  prevented 
by  a  copious  effusion  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

Our  present  state  may,  with  great  propriety, 
be  considered  as  critical,  if  this  were  the  only 
portentous  sign  of  the  times,  which  is  by  no 
means  the  case.  There  is  a  number  of  other 
dark  shades  in  the  aspects  of  the  divine  provi- 
dence towards  us,  to  which  your  attention,  the 
Lord  permitting,  will  hereafter  be  called.  It 
seems  as  if  the  dark  cloud  which  we  have  this 
evening  been  contemplating,  is  beginning  to 
break — as  if  the  pressure  of  the  Lord's  hand 
upon  this  part  of  our  affairs,  would  soon  be 
lightened.  But  it  also  appears  as  if  the  visita- 
tion had  not  been  felt,  to  any  great  extent,  as  a 
divine  and  deserved  affliction,  humbling  us  un- 
der the  Lord's  mighty  hand,  and  causing  us  to 
be  afraid  of  being  led  into  the  same  temptation 
again.  O,  could  we  but  reach  the  Church  of 
God,  the  stewards  of  his  house,  the  people 
bought  with  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  with  this 
subject  at  this  critical  period,  and  sound  in  their 


106  LECTURE    IV. 

ears  the  voice  of  warning  and  remonstrance, 
"  Hear  ye  the  rod,  and  who  hath  appointed  it." 
"  Love  not  the  world,  neither  the  things  that  are 
in  the  world.  If  any  man  love  the  world,  the 
love  of  the  Father  is  not  in  him." — "  Go  thy 
way,  sin  no  more,  lest  a  worse  thing  come  upon 
thee." — "Come  out  from  among  them,  and  be  ye 
separate." — "Seek  ye  first  the  kingdom  of  God, 
and  his  righteousness,  and  all  these  things  shall 
be  added  unto  you." — "Consider  the  lillies  of  the 
field,  how  they  grow :  they  toil  not,  neither  do 
they  spin :  and  yet  I  say  unto  you,  that  even 
Solomon,  in  all  his  glory,  was  not  arrayed  like 
one  of  these — Wherefore,  if  God  so  clothe  the 
grass  of  the  field,  which  to-day  is,  and  to-mor- 
row is  cast  into  the  oven,  shall  he  not  much 
more  clothe  you,  O  ye  of  little  faith." — "Be 
careful  for  nothing:  but  in  every  thing,  by 
prayer  and  supplication,  with  thanksgiving,  let 
your  requests  be  made  known  unto  God.  And 
the  peace  of  God,  which  passeth  all  under- 
standing, shall  keep  your  hearts  and  minds 
through  Jesus  Christ." 

These  are  some  of  the  appropriate  and  sea- 
sonable teachings  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  from 
which  the  Church  and  people  of  God  may 
learn  their  duty  at  such  a  time  as  this.  Re- 
ceiving these  instructions,  and  guiding  them- 
selves by  these  lights,  they  will  be  enabled  to 
possess  their  souls  in  patience,  enjoy  a  sweet 


COVETOUSNESS.  ^  107 

and  holy  serenity  of  mind  in  the  darkest  sea- 
sons, have  the  Lord's  dealings  sanctified  to 
their  good,  take  cheerfully  the  spoiling  of  their 
goods,  and  edify,  by  their  example,  all  who  be- 
hold them. 

Let  us  all  study,  with  prayerful  attention,  this 
sign  of  the  times  upon  which  we  have  fallen,  that 
we  may  learn  from  it  the  Lord's  designs,  and 
our  own  duty.     These  lessons  at  least,  among 
many  others,  appear  to  be   clearly  taught:— 
That  God  exercises  a  controlling  influence  over 
the  affairs  of  men ;  that  he  is  the  moral  Gov- 
ernor of  the  nation,  as  well  as  the  individuals 
composing  the  human  family;    that  he  some- 
times, at  least,  marks  the  crime  by  the  punish- 
ment which  he  inflicts,  so  as  to  make  the  con- 
nexion between  them  manifest ;  that  we  cannot 
rely  upon  any  earthly  good  for  comfort  and 
safety ;  that  the  love  and  pursuit  of  every  ob- 
ject which  fills  the  heart,  and  occupies  the  life, 
to  the  neglect  of  God  and  the  concerns  of  the 
soul,  are  sinful,  displeasing  to  God,  and  danger- 
ous to  us ;  that  the  highest  degree  of  worldly 
prosperity  does  not  prove  the  favour  of  God, 
or  the  good  estate  of  men ;  that,  notwithstand- 
ing the  many  blessings  which  we,  as  a  nation, 
enjoy,  there  are  plain  proofs,  in  the  providence 
of  God,  that  he  is  visiting  us  for  a  sin  which  is 
peculiarly  hateful  to  him — the  inordinate  love 
of  riches ;    and,  that  our  interest  and  duty  are 


108  LECTURE  IV. CO  VET  OUS  NESS. 

equally  concerned  in  immediate  repentance  for 
this  crying  national  sin,  and  a  thorough  refor- 
mation of  our  manners  with  respect  to  it,  if  we 
would  improve  the  existing  crisis  in  our  affairs, 
and  escape  the  judgments  which  are  hanging 
over  us. 

I  now  leave  this  weighty  concern  for  the 
prayerful  consideration  of  my  hearers,  under  a 
deep  conviction  of  its  intrinsic  importance,  and 
their  individual  interest  in  it.  No  Christian 
call  think  lightly  of  it,  and  no  sinner  should. 
May  the  Spirit  pour  it  upon  our  minds  with 
divine  light,  and  give  it,  in  our  hearts,  an  in- 
terest equal  to  its  importance! 

There  are  still  other  aspects  of  the  provi- 
dence of  God  towards  our  beloved  country, 
which  it  nearly  concerns  us  to  understand,  and 
which  may  be  studied  with  interest  and  profit. 
If  it  shall  please  the  Lord  to  spare  us  to  the 
commencement  of  another  month,  and  afford  the 
necessary  aid,  some  of  these  will  be  presented 
for  consideration.  In  the  mean  time,  "May 
the  God  of  peace,  that  brought  again  from  the 
dead  our  Lord  Jesus,  that  great  Shepherd  of 
the  sheep,  through  the  blood  of  the  everlasting 
covenant,  make  you  perfect  in  every  good 
work  to  do  his  will,  working  in  you  that  which 
is  well  pleasing  in  his  sight,  through  Jesus 
Christ :  to  whom  be  glory  for  ever  and  ever." 


LECTURE    V. 

REVIVALS    OF    RELIGION. 

MATTHEAV  XVI.  III. 

CAN  YE  NOT  DISCERN  THE  SIGNS  OP   THE  TIMES. 

The  fourth  sign  of  the  times,  to  which  your 
attention  was  directed,  was,  "The  aspect  of 
Divine  Providence  with  respect  to  the  monied 
concerns  of  our  country."  I  endeavoured  to 
show,  that  the  deaUngs  of  God  towards  us  had 
been  very  benign  and  gracious,  in  assigning  us 
so  extensive  and  fruitful  a  country ;  in  the  time 
of  its  settlement;  the  state  and  character  of 
its  first  settlers;  the  time,  and  results,  of  our 
revolutionary  struggle ;  the  time  when  our  in- 
stitutions, civil  and  religious,  were  settled ;  the 
peculiar  character  of  those  institutions;  the 
state  of  Europe  as  connected  with  the  French 
Revolution ;  the  influence  of  this  state  upon  the 
business  and  wealth  of  our  country,  in  con- 
nexion with  its  agriculture,  commerce,  and 
manufactures;  the  long  and  unhallowed  ca- 
reer of  our  prosperity,  manifested  by  the  widely 
extended  settlement   and  improvement  of  the 

10 


110  LECTURE     V. 

country,  the  facilities  for  intercommunication, 
and  the  amazing  increase  of  wealth ;  the  effect 
of  all  these  upon  the  people,  with  respect  to  in- 
dustry, enterprise,  and  the  desire  of  rapid  ac- 
cumulation;  the  sudden  and  unexpected  re- 
verse which  succeeded ;  the  agency  of  God  in 
it,  and  the  probable  reason  for  it;  together, 
with  some  of  the  lessons  of  practical  wisdom, 
which  we  may,  and  should  derive  from  it. 
This,  it  is  thought,  is  one  of  the  signs  which 
God  is  hanging  out  from  his  high  heavens,  to 
be  observed,  and  studied,  and  improved,  by  the 
inhabitants  of  this  land,  for  their  good — one  of 
the  voices  by  which  he  reproves  us  for  a  cry- 
ing national  sin.  The  next  sign  of  the  times, 
and  to  which  I  propose  to  call  your  attention 
this  evening,  is  of  more  immediate  concern  to 
the  people  of  God,  because  it  bears  more  di- 
rectly upon  the  welfare  of  his  Church,  which 
must  be  dearer  to  every  real  Christian  than  the 
apple  of  his  eye.  Whatever  concerns  her, 
concerns  him  also.  "  If  I  forget  thee,  let  my 
right  hand  forget  her  cunning."  Our  subject 
is,  "  Revivals  of  religion." 

V.  This  will  now  he  considered  as  the  fifth 
sign  of  the  times  in  which  we  live;  and  certainly 
not  the  least  remarkable  or  important  of  them. 

Strictly  speaking,  "  a  revival  of  religion"  is, 
an  increasing  feeling  and  interest  experienced 


REVIVALS.  Ill 

by  Christians  for  the  glory  of  God,  and  the 
good  of  souls,  manifesting  itself  by  increased 
diligence  and  zeal  in  the  divine  service; 
stronger  efforts  after  growth  in  grace  and 
knowledge,  connected  with  a  keen  relish  for 
divine  things,  so  as  to  take  greater  pleasure  in 
them  than  in  all  things  else.  In  the  ordinary 
acceptation  of  the  terms,  however,  we  include 
in  it  one  of  its  almost  invariable  fruits  or  con- 
comitants— its  effects  on  sinners.  When  the 
people  of  God  walk  together  in  the  fear  of  the 
Lord,  and  the  comfort  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  it 
rarely  happens  that  their  number,  as  well  as 
graces,  are  not  increased.  (See  Acts  ix.  31.) 
Hence,  whenever  Christians  are  warmed  and 
animated  in  the  service  of  God,  it  rarely 
happens,  that  sinners  are  not  converted. 
When  we  speak  of  a  revival,  in  this  more 
general  sense,  we  include  in  it,  the  conviction 
and  conversion  of  sinners  in  greater  numbers 
than  is  common  under  ordinary  circumstances. 
Perhaps  the  best  term  we  can  use,  to  express 
the  whole  subject,  is,  "a  revival  of  God's 
work,"  as  that  will  include  the  whole  work,  as, 
both  saints  and  sinners  are  affected  by  it.  Nor 
do  I  know  what  reasonable  objection  can  be 
made  to  its  use  in  this  sense.  At  all  events, 
this  is  the   sense   in  which  the  phrase,  "Re- 


112  LECTURE     V. 

vival  of  religion,"  is  now  generally  under- 
stood. 

The  present  has  been  called,  "The  age  of 
revivals,"  and  there  is  a  sense  in  which  it  has 
been  rightly  so  denominated.  Perhaps  there 
never  has  been  an  age,  when  revivals  have 
been  more  numerous  and  extensive  than  within 
the  memory  of  those  now  living.  If,  however, 
we  should  infer,  that  extensive  and  glorious  re- 
vivals have  not  occurred  in  other  ages  than  the 
present,  and  in  other  countries  than  our  own, 
we  should  be  egregiously  mistaken.  And  yet, 
language  is  frequently  used  on  the  subject 
which  would  lead  to  such  mistakes. 

The  fact  is,  there  have  been  few  periods  of 
much  extent  in  which  the  Church  of  God  has 
not  enjoyed  seasons  of  refreshing  from  the 
presence  of  the  Lord.  I  do  not  except  Old 
Testament  times.  To  such  a  season,  I  sup- 
pose, the  sacred  writer  alludes,  when,  in  speak- 
ing of  the  birth  of  Enos  in  the  fifth  chapter  of 
Genesis,  he  says,  "  Then  began  men  to  call 
upon  the  name  of  the  Lord."  This  seems  to 
me  to  indicate  some  increased  attention  to  the 
ordinances  of  religion,  connected  with  uncom- 
mon interest  and  feeling.  Nor  is  there  reason 
to  doubt  that  a  divine  blessing  attended  the 
closing  instructions  with  which  Moses  devolved 
the  government  of  Israel  upon  Joshua  shortly 


REVIVALS  .  1J3 

before  his  death,  the  good  effects  of  which  ac- 
companied that  man  of  God  through  his  whole 
administration.     This  is  probably  the  reason 
why  we  hear  nothing  of  their  murmurings  and 
rebellions  while  engaged  in  driving  out  the  na- 
tions of  Canaan,  and  taking  possession  of  the 
land  which  God  had  given  them  for  an  inheri- 
tance.    It   also  appears  highly  probable  that 
the  solemnities  with  which  Joshua  closed  his 
ministry  and  life  were  attended  with  a  blessing, 
the   happy  influence  of  which  was  long   felt. 
The  proof  is  found  in  this  record  in  the  second 
chapter  of  the  book  of  Judges — "  And  the  peo- 
ple served  the  Lord  all  the  days  of  Joshua, 
and  all  the  days  of  the  Elders  that  outlived 
Joshua,  who  had  seen  all  the  great  works  of 
the  Lord,  that  he  did  for  Israel.     And  there 
arose   another   generation   after   them,  which 
knew  not  the ,  Lord,  nor  yet  the  works  which 
he  had  done  for  Israel.     And  the  children  of 
Israel  did  evil  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord."     The 
extremes  of  these  periods  is  about  fifty  years. 
The  revivals  were  general,  embracing  the  na- 
tion ;  their  influence  was  felt  for  half  a  century, 
an(l  many  thousands,  it  may  be  hundreds  of 
thousands,  experienced  the  benefits  of  them. 

Many  other  instances  occur  in  the  book  of 
Judges.  The  children  of  Israel  are  represent- 
ed as  having  been  frequently  delivered  into  the 

10* 


114  LECTUREV. 

hands  of  their  enemies,  because  "  they  did  evil 
in  the  sight  of  the  Lord."  And  then  we  have 
such  records  as  these — "  And  when  the  chil- 
dren of  Israel  cried  unto  the  Lord,  the  Lord 
raised  up  a  deliverer  to  the  children  of  Israel, 
w^ho  delivered  them.  And  the  land  had  rest." 
These  brief  records  indicate  seasons  of  great 
humiliation,  fervent  prayer,  reformation  of 
manners,  and  a  return  of  the  divine  favour. 
And  what  are  all  these,  under  the  circum- 
stances of  the  case,  but  a  revival  of  religion, 
more  or  less  pure  and  extensive?  You  may 
read  an  account  of  similar  seasons  in  the  his- 
tory of  Hezekiah,  Manasseh,  and  Josiah,  kings 
of  Judah,  in  the  thirty-second,  thirty-third,  and 
thirty-fourth  chapter  of  second  Chronicles. 

Nor  has  the  Church  been  destitute  of  sea- 
sons of  revival  during  the  Christian  dispensa- 
tion from  the  beginning.  What  name  shall  we 
give  to  what  occurred  at  Jerusalem  on  the 
Pentecost,  when  thrce  thousand  were  converted 
to  God  in  one  day  ?  What  must  have  occur- 
red intermediately,  when  we  are  told  soon  after 
that  the  number  of  them  that  believed  was  five 
thousand?  Was  it  not  a  revival  of  religion 
which  caused  Peter  and  John  to  pay  that  visit 
to  Samaria,  of  which  we  have  an  account  in 
the  eighth  chapter  of  Acts  ?  To  what  state  of 
religion  does  the  record  in  the  ninth  chapter  of 


REVIVALS.  115 

the  Acts  refer  ?  "  Then  had  the  churches  rest 
throughout  all  Judea,  and  Galilee,  and  Samaria, 
and  were  edified ;  and,  walking  in  the  fear  of 
the  Lord,  and  in  the  comfort  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  were  multiplied."  Was  it  any  thing  but 
pure,  blessed,  and  glorious  revivals  of  religion 
which  planted  large  and  flourishing  churches 
at  Rome,  Antioch,  Corinth,  Galatia,  Ephesus, 
Thessalonica,  Smyrna,  Pergamos,  Laodicea, 
Thyatira,  Philadelphia,  and  a  large  number  of 
other  places  in  every  part  of  the  Roman  Em- 
pire, long  before  the  close  of  the  first  century  ? 
I  will  not  refer  you  to  the  uncertain  records 
of  the  dark  ages,  for  further  examples,  although 
much  might  be  gleaned  even  from  this  com- 
paratively barren  field.  But  to  come  down  to 
the  sixteenth  century,  the  period  of  the  Refor- 
mation. At  the  commencement  of  that  period, 
the  great  body  of  the  Christian  Church  lay  fast 
asleep  in  the  arms  of  Roman  Catholicism.  Its 
characteristics  were,  ignorance,  superstition, 
idolatry,  and  profligacy.  A  religious  influence, 
as  extensive  and  salutary,  had  not  been  expe- 
rienced since  the  first  century,  as  that  which 
occurred  in  the  sixteenth.  The  fruit  of  it  was 
the  emancipation  of  England,  Scotland,  the 
seven  united  provinces  of  the  Netherlands,  one 
half  of  Switzerland,  Saxony,  and  other  con- 
siderable   portions  of  Germany.     While  no- 


116  LECTURE    V. 

thing  but  the  strong  arm  of  secular  power, 
and  a  spirit  of  persecution,  which  rioted  in 
blood,  arrested  the  progress  of  the  Reforma- 
tion in  France,  Spain,  and  Italy,  and  kept  such 
large  portions  of  Europe  under  Papal  domina- 
tion. The  aggregate  of  all  this  was  denomi- 
nated, "  The  Reformation."  The  detail  might 
with  propriety  be  called,  "  Revivals  of  religion 
in  some  scores  of  thousands  of  congregations." 
The  present  century,  loud  as  its  boastings  are, 
furnishes  no  parallel. 

But  perhaps  it  may  be  supposed  that  no  re- 
vivals occurred  from  the  Reformation  till  the 
commencement  of  the  period  which  we  have  so 
complacently  called,  "The  age  of  revivals." 
Nor  is  this  correct.  The  former  part  of  the 
seventeenth  century  witnessed  remarkable  out- 
pourings of  the  Holy  Spirit,  both  in  Scotland 
and  Ireland,  which  have  not  been  exceeded 
since  the  day  of  Pentecost.  For  instance — a 
single  sermon  preached  in  the  Church  yard  of 
Shotts,  in  Scotland,  on  Monday  the  21st  day  of 
June,  1630,  by  John  Livingston,  the  lineal  an- 
cestor of  the  numerous  and  respectable  family 
of  that  name  in  this  country,  was  blessed  to 
the  conversion  of  five  hundred  souls.  Another 
sermon  of  his,  preached  on  a  similar  occasion 
at  Holywood,  in  Ireland,  God  was  pleased  to 
own  to   the   conversion  of  a  thousand  souls. 


REVIVALS,  117 

We  have  no  reason  to  believe  that  these  were 
insulated  seasons  in  either  of  those  countries. 
Nor  was  England  during  the  seventeenth  cen- 
tury, the  age  of  Baxter,  Owen,  Howe,  Bates, 
and  a  host  of  other  worthies,  without  its  seasons 
of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord. 
Take  Kidderminster,  the  parish  of  Richard 
Baxter,  as  an  example.  When  he  came  to  the 
place,  he  says,  there  was  about  one  family  in  a 
street  that  worshipped  God,  and  called  on  his 
name — and  before  he  left,  instances  of  neglect 
were  very  rare.  Of  six  hundred  communicants, 
he  stood  in  doubt  of  only  about  a  dozen.  Per- 
haps the  ministry  of  no  pastor  was  more 
blessed  in  a  given  place.  And  this  was  the 
case  with  many  of  his  cotemporaries,  although 
they  lived  in  exceedingly  troublous  times. 

It  was  my  wish  and  design,  at  this  point,  to 
have  taken  a  brief  view  of  the  state  of  reli- 
gion in  England  and  this  country  during  a  part 
of  the  last  century.  But  time  will  not  permit. 
Sometime  before  the  middle  of  that  period  God 
had  gathered  together,  at  the  University  of  Ox- 
ford, in  England,  a  company  of  young  men  of 
fervent  piety  who  were  associated  for  mutual 
improvement  in  the  things  of  religion.  Of  this 
number  were  John  and  Charles  Wesley,  and 
George  Whitefield,  subsequently  well  known, 
both  in  Europe  and  America,  as  the  friends  and 


118 


LECTURE    V. 


promoters  of  vital  godliness ;  one  of  them  the 
founder  of  that  numerous  and  respectable  sect, 
called  Methodists,  and  another  honoured  of 
God  as  the  instrument  employed  to  diffuse  a 
new  spirit  into  existing  denominations.  Ex- 
tensive revivals  of  religion  followed  their  la- 
bours on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic.  In  this 
country  Whitefield  met  a  hearty  co-operation 
in  the  Tennants  and  others  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  Edwards,  and  many  others  of  the 
fathers  of  New  England — and  a  glorious  scene 
of  revival  ensued,  which  pervaded  almost  every 
part  of  our  land.  It  w^as,  however,  greatly 
marred  by  the  errors  and  excesses  of  Daven- 
port and  others,  whose  mistakes  and  follies 
made  the  very  name  of  a  revival  odious  for 
many  years.  The  influences  of  the  Spirit 
were  consequently  withdrawn  for  many  years, 
so  that  we  scarcely  hear  of  a  revival  again  till 
after  the  revolutionary  war.  Of  what  then 
occurred  I  shall  hereafter  speak.  Enough  has, 
I  think,  been  said  to  show  that  revivals  are  not 
as  great  novelties  as  some  have  believed  and 
others  imagined.  So  that  if  it  be  admitted  that 
it  is  proper  to  call  the  present,  especially  with 
reference  to  our  own  country,  "  The  age  of 
revivals,"  it  is  necessary  that  we  do  so  with 
some  limitations  and  explanations,  or  we  shall 
be   apt  to  leave  a  wrong   impression   on  the 


REVIVALS.  119 

mind.  From  what  has  taken  place  in  this  age 
and  country,  we  have  no  right  to  disparage 
what  God  has  done  in  other  ages  and  coun- 
tries. To  do  this  would  be  very  like  blas- 
pheming the  Holy  Ghost. 

To  come,  then,  to  modern  times.  It  is  a 
fact,  that,  not  long  after  the  revolutionary  war, 
revivals  began  to  occur  again;  and,  towards 
the  close  of  the  last  century,  and  the  beginning 
of  the  present,  they  were  more  frequent  than 
they  had  been  for  a  long  time  before.  In 
many  instances,  they  were  deep,  powerful,  and 
extensive,  and  their  effects  were  permanently 
good.  They  were,  generally,  connected  with 
plain,  pungent,  and  affectionate  exhibitions  of 
the  whole  counsel  of  God,  followed  by  deep 
convictions  of  sin,  of  heart  and  nature,  as  well 
as  hfe,  and  a  believing  reception  and  appropri- 
ation of  Christ,  as  "  made  to  us  of  God,  wis- 
dom, righteousness,  sanctification,  and  redemp- 
tion," through  the  renewing  and  sanctifying 
power  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  The  effect,  ordina- 
rily, was,  great  self-abasement,  humiliation, 
and  perseverance  in  holy  living.  The  churches 
had  peace,  and  their  members  walked  together 
in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  in  the  comfort  of 
the  Holy  Ghost.  Defections  were  few,  and  the 
exercise  of  disciphne  was  seldom  necessary. 
Novelties,  in  faith  or  practice,  rarely  occurred. 


120  LECTURE     V. 

There  were,  however,  some  few  exceptions. 
In  some  parts  of  this  State,  in  some  of  the 
Western  States,  and,  in  a  few  instances,  else- 
where, singular  cases  of  bodily-exercise  occur- 
red ;  first,  probably,  in  the  case  of  persons  of 
feeble  or  diseased  nerves,  and  afterwards  com- 
municated to  others  by  sympathy.  This  was  of 
evil  influence.  Then  followed  a  seeming  want 
of  more  labourers  in  the  vineyard,  which  gave 
rise  to  the  introduction  of  imperfectly  educated 
and  unqualified  men  into  the  ministry,  with 
which,  was  probably  connected  departures 
from  sound  doctrine.  From  this  sprung  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterians,  who,  for  several 
years,  troubled  the  Presbyterian  Church.  But, 
notwithstanding  these  drawbacks,  the  work 
went  on,  and  great  good  was  done. 

'Till  about  the  year  1820,  few  changes  took 
place,  excepting  the  introduction  of  what  has 
been  called,  "  The  anxious-seats,"  and  the  em- 
ployment of  a  few  evangelists.  The  anxious- 
seat  was  originally  used,  to  save  the  pastor  the 
labour  of  calling  upon  the  many  who  were 
exercised ;  and  the  employment  of  evangelists 
was  designed  to  assist  the  pastors,  who  were 
borne  down  with  the  multiplicity  of  their  ardu- 
ous labours.  About  this  time,  commenced 
what  has  been  called,  "  The  conference  of 
the  churches."     This  practice  obtained  princi- 


REVIVALS.  121 

pally  in  New  England,  and  consisted  in  the 
appointment  of  a  few  influential  and  gifted  lay- 
men, to  visit  neighbouring  churches,  calling  the 
people  together,  and  spending  a  day  or  two 
with  them  in  exhortation  and  prayer,  labouring 
to  reconcile  existing  difficulties,  and  calling 
upon  churches  to  make  public  confession  of 
their  sins,  and  covenant  anew  to  serve  the 
Lord.  From  these  exercises  pastors  were  so 
far  excluded  as  not  to  be  expected  to  take  an 
active  part  in  them,  even  in  their  own 
churches.  This  was  the  first  serious  inroad 
made  on  the  character  and  influence  of  the 
pastoral  office. 

The  influence  of  this  new  measure  was,  in 
the  first  instance,  very  considerable,  and,  per- 
haps, some  good  was  accomplished.  But,  like 
all  merely  human  devices,  it  ceased  to  have 
much  effect  when  its  novelty  was  worn  olF. 
When  this  was  perceived  to  be  the  case,  it 
was  abandoned.  About  the  same  time,  a  dis- 
tinction began  to  be  made  between  ministers, 
as  favourable  or  unfavourable  to  revivals.  If 
the  name  of  a  minister  was  not  known  to  one 
of  the  parties,  the  question  would  be  immedi- 
ately asked,  "Is  he  a  revival-man?"  And  the 
meaning  would  be,  not,  is  he  a  godly  man,  who 
loves  God,  and  the  souls  of  men,  and  labours 
diligently    for    the    promotion   of   the    divine 

11 


122  LECTURE    V. 

glory,  and  the  salvation  of  souls,  but,  does  he 
approve  of  the  newest  measures,  and  work  ac- 
cording to  the  newest  rules  ?  If  not,  though 
he  were  pouring  his  whole  heart  into  his  work, 
and  God  were  blessing  his  labours  in  the  most 
abundant  manner,  he  would  not  be  recognised 
as,  "  a  revival-man,"  but,  stigmatized  as,  "  cold- 
hearted,  and  inefficient."  I  have,  myself,  heard 
them  so  called,  again  and  again. 

When  the  conference  of  the  churches  had 
served  its  turn,  it  was  succeeded  by  what  has 
been  technically  called,  "  protracted  meetings." 
Such  meetings  have  been  extensively  held 
throughout  our  land,  and,  especially,  in  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  I  think,  they  did  not  be- 
come general  till  about  the  year  1827,  or  '28, 
Previously  to  this  period,  if  an  interesting  state 
of  religious  feeling  existed  in  an  extensive  con- 
gregation, meetings  were  necessarily  increased ; 
and,  if  the  pastor  were  unable  to  bear  the  in- 
creased labour,  neighbouring  brethren  were 
called  in  to  assist  him.  This,  however,  is  not 
what  is  meant  by  "  protracted  meetings." 
These  are  meetings,  which  have  been  ap- 
pointed frequently,  if  not  generally,  when  reli- 
gion appeared  to  be  in  a  low  or  declining  state, 
with  a  view  to  wake  up  Christians,  and  excite 
the  attention  of  sinners,  to  the  subject  of  their 
salvation;   or,  as  it  has  been  expressed,  "To 


REVIVALS.  123 

get  up  a  revival."  They  have  generally  been 
conducted  by  evangelists,  or,  by  a  number  of 
ministers,  called  from  greater  or  less  distances, 
who  were  supposed  to  be  peculiarly  skilful  in 
conducting  such  operations,  or  whose  minis- 
trations were  calculated  to  produce  the  most 
striking  effects :  in  other  words,  "  revival-men." 
Other  men,  whatever  their  gifts  or  qualifica- 
tions might  be,  would  rarely  be  invited. 

These  meetings  have  lasted,  from  three  to 
four  days.  Pastors  have,  generally,  taken  very 
Httle  part  in  the  exercises  in  their  own  congre- 
gations, and  had  very  little  to  do  with  the  di- 
rection of  affairs.  The  exercises  have  con- 
sisted, of  one  or  two  sermons  a  day,  with  one 
or  two  meetings  for  exhortation  and  prayer; 
and,  when  the  state  of  feeling  would  warrant 
it,  the  anxious-seat.  The  object  of  this  seat 
is,  to  bring  those  whose  minds  are  affected  to 
give  a  public  indication  of  their  purpose  to  be- 
come religious,  and  then,  by  exhortation  and 
prayer,  to  bring  them  to  "submit,"  as  it  is 
called,  in  which,  it  is  supposed,  their  conver- 
sion consists.  The  character  of  the  preaching 
on  these  occasions  has,  generally,  been  of  an 
exciting  kind :  sometimes,  by  holding  up  some 
important  truth  before  the  mind  in  a  striking 
light,  till  it  has  absorbed  the  attention,  and  ex- 
cited the  imagination,  and  prepared  the  subject 


124  LECTURE     V. 

sternly  to  adopt  the  preacher's  desire,  by  form- 
ing the  resolution  to  submit  to  God,  supposing 
that  the  great  work  is  then  done,  although  they 
have  never  been  convinced  of  the  evil  of  sin, 
or  felt  the  plagues  of  their  own  hearts,  or  their 
need  of  being  "  Washed,  and  sanctified,  and 
justified,  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  and 
by  the  Spirit  of  our  God,"  or,  having  had  a  sin- 
gle view  of  Christ,  as  crucified  and  slain  for 
their  redemption.  Sometimes,  strong  appeals 
have  been  made  to  the  passions;  and  some- 
times, they  have  been  urged  on  to  the  duty  of 
submission,  in  connexion  with  their  abihty  to 
perform  it,  till  it  has  been  supposed  to  be  one 
of  the  easiest  things  imaginable;  and,  some- 
times, the  preacher  has  assumed  the  divine 
omniscience,  and  declared,  authoritatively,  that 
unless  the  hearer  should  submit  to  God  before 
he  should  leave  his  seat,  he  would  lose  his 
soul.  The  speaker  has  witnessed  such  things. 
Generally  speaking,  very  little  gospel  in- 
struction has  been  given  at  such  meetings,  and 
the  distinnruishinsf  doctrines  of  the  Christian 
system  have  been  studiously  kept  out  of  view, 
as  not  calculated  to  promote  the  work.  For 
instance:  You  would  hear  very  little,  if  any 
thing,  of  our  sinful  condition  by  nature;  the 
nature  and  necessity  of  regeneration,  by  the 
supernatural  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit ;  the 


REVIVALS.  125 

doings  and  sufferings  of  Christ;  justification 
by  faith,  through  the  imputed  righteousness  of 
Christ,  as  the  ground  of  our  acceptance  with 
God ;  the  nature  of  the  divine  law  and  govern- 
ment ;  the  importance  of  self-examination ;  the 
evidences  of  a  gracious  state ,  and,  the  nature 
and  character  of  the  Christian  life.  These 
subjects  have  often  been  laughed  at,  as  anti- 
quated folhes,  or  avoided,  as  injurious  to  revi- 
vals of  religion. 

I  do  not  mean,  that  this  has  been  the  case 
at  all  protracted  meetings.  Many  of  them 
have  been  conducted  with  propriety ;  and  the 
truth,  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  has  been  preached  at 
them.  But  the  other  course,  with  various 
modifications,  has  had  a  considerably  wide  cir- 
culation. In  many  instances,  such  measures, 
and  preaching,  have  been  forced  upon  congre- 
gations, and  suffered  against  the  better  judg- 
ment and  wishes  of  pastors,  and,  perhaps,  a 
large  portion  of  their  congregations,  through  the 
influence  of  a  few  fanatical  spirits,  in  the  hope 
of  being  able  to  control  the  course  of  events, 
gratify  these  spirits,  and  yet  save  the  Church 
from  material  injury.  This,  however,  has 
rarely  been  the  case.  Time,  however,  does 
not  permit  me  to  dwell  on  this  part  of  the 
subject.     I  proceed  to  inquire  as  to  results. 

What  effects,  then,  have  resulted  from  these 
11* 


126  LECTURE    V. 

things  ?  It  is  undeniable,  that  these  have  been 
neither  few  nor  small,  and,  if  we  had  an  accu- 
rate and  detailed  account  of  them,  it  would 
furnish  an  interesting  and  useful  study  to  the 
philosopher  and  the  Christian,  and,  especially, 
the  Christian  minister.  It  might,  for  instance, 
be  expected,  that  where  such  long-extended 
and  mighty  efforts  had  been  made ;  such  im- 
portant and  exciting  topics  had  been  discussed, 
and  enforced  with  so  much  talent,  skill,  zeal, 
frequency  and  perseverance,  that  the  hearers 
have  had  such  a  direct,  acknowledged,  and 
deep  interest  in  them — and  that  scenes  of 
thrilling  interest  have  frequently  been  exhibited, 
which  were  calculated  to  call  into  exercise  the 
deepest  sympathies  of  our  nature,  that  many 
and  important  results  would  flow  from  them. 
Such,  accordingly,  has  been  the  fact.  Thou- 
sands and  tens  of  thousands  of  souls,  in  vari- 
ous parts  of  our  land,  have  been  deeply  and 
seriously  affected  by  them.  Nor  have  I  a 
doubt,  that  many  have  been  happily  and  sav- 
ingly affected  by  them.  But,  whether  enough 
of  good,  has  been  done  to  compensate  for  a 
train  of  evils,  many  of  which  have  grown 
spontaneously,  and  almost  necessarily,  out  of 
the  measures  which  have  been  pursued;  and, 
whether  the  good  might  not  have  been  ob- 
tained, and  most  of  the  evils  have  been 
avoided,  by  a  different  course,  are  questions 


REVIVALS.  127 

which  are  worthy  of  grave  and  serious  con- 
sideration. At  all  events,  it  is  very  certain, 
that  these  measures,  like  all  mere  human  in- 
ventions, have  been  producing,  constantly,  less 
and  less  effect,  and  have  laid  them  under  the 
necessity  of  inventing  others,  or,  of  falling 
back  upon  those  which  God  has  appointed  and 
approved.  What  then,  you  ask,  are  the  evils 
to  which  I  allude  ? 

They  have  been  of  evil  influence,  with  re- 
spect to  the  stated  and  ordinary  ministrations 
of  the  Gospel ;  an  ordinance,  which  God  has 
appointed,  in  perpetuity,  for  the  edification  of 
the  body  of  Christ,  and  the  conviction  and  con- 
version of  sinners.  After  a  protracted  meet- 
ing, of  the  most  approved  stamp,  the  ordinary 
ministrations  of  the  sanctuary  have,  for  a 
length  of  time,  had  very  little,  if  any  eflfect, 
either  on  saint  or  sinner.  The  agitated  wa- 
ters subside  into  a  dead  calm.  The  people  of 
God  sink  down  into  a  dull,  cold  apathy,  as  if  it 
were  not  their  duty  to  feel  or  act ;  and  sinners, 
would  seem  to  think  it  almost  a  sin  to  be  con- 
verted at  such  a  time.  They  sit  down,  and 
fold  their  hands  to  sleep,  as  if  they  had  no 
souls  to  save  or  lose,  till  one  of  these  seasons 
of  extra  eflfort  and  excitement  returns.  From 
this  it  has  resulted,  that  few  have  been  re- 
ceived into  the  churches,  excepting  at  such  pe- 


128  LECTURE    V. 

riods.  It  has  been,  either  a  feast  or  a  famine. 
Daily  bread  has  been  loathed  and  despised,  as 
well  nigh  useless.  Even  those  churches  which 
have  cordially  disapproved  of  the  whole  course 
of  things,  have  been  deeply  affected  by  it.  In 
many  of  the  Presbyterian  churches,  the  period 
for  the  return  of  the  paroxysm  has  been,  when 
the  season  for  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Gene- 
ral Assembly  has  been  drawing  near.  When 
it  has  been  perceived,  upon  review,  that  little 
has  been  accomplished  since  its  last  meeting, 
and  that,  a  meager  account  must  be  given,  if 
something  be  not  immediately  done ;  the  pro- 
tracted meeting  is  called ;  notice  is  given,  as  ex- 
tensively as  possible;  preparation  is  made;  the 
proper  coadjutors  are  procured ;  expectation  is 
raised ;  the  work  is  commenced ;  in  the  course 
of  a  week  or  two,  fifty  or  a  hundred  are  gath- 
ered into  the  Church;  the  thing  is  gazetted 
throughout  the  land ;  a  report  is  made,  in  due 
form,  to  the  General  Assembly :  a  great  calm 
ensues,  so  that  the  lecture-rooni  and  prayer 
meeting  are  forsaken,  and  it  would  require  an 
earthquake  to  wake  the  Church  up  again  be- 
fore the  usual  time.  Do  not  many  of  you 
know  this  to  be,  substantially,  correct?  Why, 
even  our  sober  brethren  of  the  Episcopal 
Church,  have  felt  the  effect,  and  complain,  that 
their  accessions  to .  the  Church  are  principally 


REVIVALS.      '  129 

confined  to  the  season  of  Lent,  during  which 
they  have  almost  daily  public  exercises.  There 
must  be  something  wrong,  when  God's  institu- 
tions are  thus  undervalued  and  powerless,  and, 
when  we  substitute,  what,  in  the  very  nature  of 
the  case,  must  be  special,  for  God's  stated  ap- 
pointment, and  rely  upon  our  own  inventions, 
instead  of  his  ordinances. 

But  this  is  not  all.  This  state  of  things  has 
been  of  most  pernicious  influence  w^ith  respect 
to  the  pastoral  office.  This  is  an  office  of  di- 
vine institution,  and  designed  by  the  great 
Head  of  the  Church  to  be  perpetual.  In  the 
settled  state  of  the  Church,  the  whole  work  of 
the  ministry,  both  as  it  respects  ingathering 
and  edification,  has  been  committed  by  Christ 
to  the  pastor.  But  in  the  state  of  things  of 
which  I  am  speaking,  the  pastor  has  been 
made  a  mere  cypher,  on  the  wrong  side  of 
unity.  In  these  protracted  meetings,  the 
whole  work  is  thrown  into  the  hands  of  the 
Evangelist,  or  the  brethren  who  are  called  in, 
as  the  case  may  be.  The  pastor  may  indeed 
be  seen^  but  he  is  not  heard  or  felt.  These 
men  come  prepared  with  a  few  sermons  calcu- 
lated to  produce  an  immediate  effect,  such  as 
no  pastor  can  statedly  prepare  for  his  people, 
and  which  he  should  not  preach  in  continuance 
if  he  could,  for  they  would  starve  their  souls; 


130  LECTURE    V. 

and  when  the  excitement  begins  to  subside,  as 
subside  it  will,  these  men  retire,  and  leave  all 
the  difficulties  and  trials  of  the  re-action  to 
him.  Well,  what  are  the  consequences? 
Why,  he  cannot  revive  the  dying  excitement. 
He  cannot  minister  satisfactorily  to  the  vitia- 
ted tastes,  and  morbid  sensibilities  of  his  hear- 
ers. He  has  lost  the  little  influence  which  he 
once  exercised.  He  grows  discouraged  with 
the  hopelessness  of  future  usefulness,  and  de- 
sires to  fly  from  the  scene.  And  if  he  did  not, 
his  hearers  desire  his  removal.  They  lay  every 
difficulty  at  his  door.  They  suppose  if  they 
had  one  of  those  men  that  had  laboured 
among  them  with  so  much  interest  and  suc- 
cess, they  would  have  a  revival  all  the  time. 
And  the  next  you  hear,  he  is  gone.  This  evil 
influence  has  well  nigh  destroyed  the  pastoral 
office,  with  all  its  hallowed  influences,  in  some 
parts  of  the  Church,  and  weakened  it  every 
where.  And  if  it  is  suffered  to  go  on,  it  will 
make  revivals  a  by-word  and  a  loathing,  and 
go  far  to  destroy  the  Church  itself.  Surely 
these  things  ought  not  to  be.  Surely,  those 
who  love  and  pray  for  the  peace  and  pros- 
perity of  Zion,  should  wake  up,  and  see  to 
it.  If  any  one  desires  to  be  informed  on  the 
subject,  let  him  examine  the  statistics  of  our 
Church,  and  he  will  be  equally  astonished  and 


REVIVALS.  13X 

grieved  to  find  what  a  multitude  of  her  minis- 
try are  either  without  charges,  or  acting  as 
stated  suppHes.  I  have  myself  known  a  Pres- 
bytery consisting  of  nineteen  ministers,  only 
three  of  whom  were  pastors.  No  small  por- 
tion of  this  evil  has  arisen  from  the  employ- 
ment of  Evangelists,  protracted  meetings,  and 
the  character  of  modern  revivals.  A  genuine 
revival  of  religion  has  always  served  to  unite 
the  pastor,  if  he  were  a  good  man,  more 
closely  to  his  people,  and  greatly  to  increase  his 
usefulness.  The  revivals  of  later  years  have 
had  a  directly  contrary  effect.  Verily  there  is 
something  utterly  wrong  in  all  this. 

This  state  of  things  has  had  a  great  and 
unhappy  effect  on  the  character  of  gospel 
ministrations.  It  seems  to  be  at  war  with  al- 
most all  the  distinguishing  doctrines  of  our 
holy  religion.  These  may  not  be  preached  in 
connexion  with  revivals,  because  they  are  sup- 
posed to  have  a  bad  influence  on  them.  Du- 
ring such  seasons  it  would  be  treason  to  speak 
of  original  sin,  the  atonement  as  the  only 
ground  of  our  hope  of  acceptance  with  God, 
justification  by  faith,  through  the  imputed 
righteousness  of  Christ,  the  necessity  of  re- 
generation by  the  supernatural  influences  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  or  any  thing  else  which  distin- 
guishes the  gospel  from  all  other  systems;  for 


132  LECTURE     V.  , 

fear  that  men  should  forget  their  accountabihty, 
or  be  unwilhng  to  exert  themselves,  unless  they 
possessed  every  kind  of  ability  necessary  to  save 
their  own  souls.  The  consequence  of  all  this  has 
been,  that  men  have  imbibed  a  distaste  for  doc- 
trinal preaching,  and  ultimately  for  the  doc- 
trines themselves,  so  as  to  become  unwilling  to 
hear  them  at  all,  or  even  to  believe  them. 
They  have  reasoned  on  this  wise — "  If  these 
doctrines  are  inimical  to  revivals,  they  cannot 
be  very  important,  even  if  true,  and  probably 
are  not  true  in  the  sense  we  have  heretofore 
supposed."  If  the  first  proposition  be  true, 
the  argument  is  sound,  and  the  conclusion  irre- 
sistible. This,  I  have  no  doubt,  is  one  of  the 
fruitful  sources  of  those  errors  with  which  the 
Presbyterian  Church  has  been  flooded,  distract- 
ed, and  well  nigh  ruined.  The  devil  has  no 
better  time  to  sow  his  tares  by  handfulls  than 
when  the  watchmen  are  absorbed  in  revivals ; 
and  he  knows  it  well — and  if  he  can  get  them 
to  do  his  work,  he  is  all  the  better  pleased.  It 
does,  however,  seem  strange  to  me  how  it  ever 
entered  into  the  minds  of  men,  that  the  doc- 
trines of  the  Scriptures  should  be  opposed  to 
the  best  interests  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ. 
Either  the  Holy  Spirit  has  committed  a  strange 
mistake  on  the  subject,  or  men  must  be  essen- 
tially wrong   about   this   thing.     It  would   be 


REVIVALS.  133 

wonderful  if  those  truths  which  he  at  the  foun- 
dation of  the  whole  system,  should  be  injuri- 
ous to  its  interests,  and  be  unnecessary  to  be 
known  and  understood  by  us ! 

These  revivals  have  had  an  unhappy  influ- 
ence on  the  state  of  religion  and  the  welfare  of 
souls,  as  connected  with  hasty  admission  to  the 
communion  of  the  Church.  This  practice  has 
been  very  general.  Communion  seasons  have 
immediately  succeeded  protracted  meetings.  I 
have  known  an  instance  where,  during  the  last 
ten  days  of  a  meeting  of  five  weeks  continu- 
ance, three  communion  seasons  were  held, 
two  hundred  and  ten  were  admitted  to  the 
Church — in  four  months  the  pastor  was  dis- 
missed, and  within  eighteen  months  their  house 
of  worship  was  sold,  and  the  Church  itself 
was  broken  up.  If  one  hundred  of  its  three 
hundred  members  can  now  be  found  decently 
professing  godliness,  I  am  utterly  mistaken. 
These  hasty  admissions  afford  the  subjects  no 
time  to  test  the  nature  of  their  exercises,  or  to 
examine  the  state  of  their  hearts ;  and  it  is  no 
wonder  if  the  churches  get  filled  with  unsound 
members,  or  if  they  fall  off"  like  leaves  in  au- 
tumn. The  reasons  assigned  for  such  admis- 
sions is,  they  will  lose  their  impressions,  and 
never  make  a  profession.  This  may  be  very 
true.     But  what  a  commentary  is  it  on  the  na- 

12 


134  LECTURE    V. 

ture  of  the  revival,  and  indeed  on  the  whole 
system?  If  the  work  were  genuine  there 
would  be  no  danger  in  waiting.  The  bread 
cast  upon  the  waters  would  be  found  again 
after  many  days.  If  the  Church  were  not  im- 
mortal under  its  Head,  the  errors,  and  follies, 
and  wickedness  of  men  would  have  destroyed 
it  long  ago. 

Finally.  The  Christian  character,  formed 
by  such  means,  even  where  a  real  conversion 
takes  place,  is  so  defective,  as  to  make  the 
measures  themselves  of  questionable  propriety. 
I  will  only  notice  a  very  few.  They  have 
been  found,  in  uncommon  numbers,  destitute  of 
that  meekness,  gentleness,  and  humility,  which 
so  strikingly  characterized  the  blessed  Saviour, 
and  which  are  so  becoming  and  lovely  in 
young  converts.  These,  on  the  contrary,  ap- 
pear to  have  been  born  of  full  age  and  growth, 
and  to  speak  with  as  much  confidence  of 
Christian  duty  and  experience  as  if  they  had 
been  thoroughly  trained  and  disciplined  in  the 
divine  life;  and,  to  rush  into  the  Christian  war- 
fare with  as  much  boldness,  as  if  they  had 
proved  their  armour,  and  gained  many  an  easy 
victory;  and,  to  reprove  veterans  of  the  cross,  of 
forty  years  standing,  as  cold,  idle,  and  inefficient, 
as  if  they,  themselves,  had  a  commission  from 
Heaven  to  exercise  such  authority  over  God's 


REVIVALS.  135 

heritage.  They  are  frequently  found  impatient 
of  restraint,  and  unwilling  to  submit  to  the  au- 
thority necessary  to  make  God's  house  a 
house  of  order.  And  with  all  these,  there  is 
often  connected,  not  only  a  lamentable  igno- 
rance of  the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel,  but  a 
great  distaste  for,  and  disbelief  of  them,  by 
which,  a  continued  ignorance  of  them  is  in- 
sured in  all  time  to  come.  Men  will  never 
study,  with  interest  and  success,  those  subjects 
to  which  they  have  an  aversion.  Such  a  state 
of  things  can  never  exist  without  great  loss  to 
the  soul,  for  the  character  is  formed  by  the 
knowledge  and  influence  of  the  doctrines  of 
rehgion  on  the  heart.  These  constitute  the 
bones  and  muscles  of  the  new  creature.  And, 
where  the  knowledge  and  love  of  the  doctrines 
is  absent,  an  imperfect  character  will  be  in- 
duced, which  will  lack  some  of  the  most  im- 
portant and  lovely  traits  which  adorn  the 
Christian  when  the  conformation  of  the  new 
man  is  fully  developed.  Hence,  many  of  those, 
of  w^hom  I  am  speaking,  are  deficient  in  that 
symmetry  which  is  so  lovely  in  the  well-formed 
Christian.  While  these  are  particularly  defec- 
tive, with  respect  to  the  meekness,  gentleness, 
and  humility,  by  which  the  Saviour  was  so  de- 
lightfully distinguished,  they  are  no  less  defi- 
cient in  that  firmness,  which   makes  its  pos- 


136  LECTURE    V. REVIVALS. 

sessor  "steadfast,  unmovable,  always  abound- 
ing in  the  work  of  the  Lord."  For  the  want 
of  this,  so  many  of  the  present  day  are,  "  ever 
learning,  and  never  coming  to  the  knowledge 
of  the  truth,"  and  are  so  blown  about  by  every 
wind  of  doctrine,  that  you  can  never  know 
whither  the  next  breeze  may  carry  them,  or 
upon  w^hat  desolate  coast  they  may  make  ship- 
wreck of  their  faith,  and  their  souls.  Need 
we,  then,  wonder  at  the  prevalence  and  influ- 
ence of  error? 

These  are  some  of  the  reasons,  w^hy  we  ob- 
ject to  the  inventions  of  men  in  conducting  the 
w^ork  of  the  Lord,  and  why  we  earnestly  desire 
to  see  the  Church  return  to  the  good  old  ways. 
God  has  never  denied  his  blessing  to  his  own 
truth,  and  the  labour  of  his  own  servants,  who 
have  received  the  Word  at  his  mouth,  and  re- 
lied upon  the  influence  of  his  Spirit  to  give  it 
effect.  Nor  wall  he  now.  "Wait  on  the  Lord, 
and  he  will  bring  it  to  pass."  The  Church  will 
then  soon  cease  to  be  like  a  forest,  through 
which  a  devouring  fire  has  passed,  consuming 
every  thing  which  had  life  in  it;  and  become 
again,  "  Fruitful  as  Lebanon,  beautiful  as  Tir- 
zah,  comely  as  Jerusalem,  and  terrible  as  an 
army  with  banners."  May  the  Lord  hasten  it 
in  its  season! 


LECTURE    VI. 

CORRUPTION    OF   DOCTRINE. 

MATTHEW  XVI.  III. 

CAN  YE  NOT  DISCERN  THE  SIGNS  OF  THE  TIMES. 

The  last  particular,  to  which  your  attention 
was  directed,  was,  "  Revivals  of  religion."  Af- 
ter explaining  their  nature  and  importance,  it 
was  observed,  that  they  were  not  novelties  in 
the  history  of  God's  Church,  having  been  ex- 
perienced in  almost  every  age  and  country 
where  the  Church  has  had  a  visible  form,  both 
under  the  Old  and  New  Testament  dispensa- 
tions. A  number  of  facts  were  detailed,  and 
remarks  made,  with  respect  to  the  great  revi- 
val, which  commenced  a  little  before  the  mid- 
dle of  the  last  century,  and  in  w^hich.  White- 
field  and  the  Wesleys  were  prominent  actors ; 
and  the  reason  assigned,  why  that  glorious 
work  was  brought  suddenly  and  unexpectedly 
to  a  close,  shortly  before  the  Revolutionary 
war. 

We  then  passed  on  to  a  brief  review  of  the 
revivals  which  occurred  after  that  period,  to- 

12* 


138  LECTURE     VI. 

wards  the  close  of  the  last  century,  and  the  com- 
mencement of  the  present,  up  to  about  the  year 
1820,  during  which  time,  revivals,  with  com- 
paratively few  exceptions,  continued  to  be  pure 
and   salutary.     Then,  began  the  employment 
of  evangelists,  out  of  which  grew  protracted 
meetings,  anxious-seats,  new  tests  of  conver- 
sion, together  with  speedy  and  premature  ad- 
missions to  the  Church.     It  has  also  appeared, 
that,  if  much  good  resulted  from  such  a  course 
of  measures,  that  much  and  great,  if  not  ne- 
cessary evil,  has  followed  in  their  train;   such 
as,  scanty  and  imperfect  exhibitions  of  truth; 
a  distaste  for  the  ordinary  ministrations  of  the 
Gospel ;  a  lack  of  edification  under  them ;  long 
seasons  of  coldness  and   inactivity;    the  de- 
struction   of    the    influence  which   the   pastor 
should   exercise;    the   frequent   disruptions   of 
the  pastoral  relation;    a  distaste  for  the  doc- 
trines of  the  Gospel,  often  followed  by  their 
abandonment  or  corruption ;  and,  that  the  cha- 
racters thus  formed,  are  lamentably  defective, 
lacking    many   of   the    characteristics    which 
should  distinguish  the  child  of  God ;  and  par- 
ticularly deficient  in  the  meekness,  gentleness, 
and  lowliness,  which  were  so  beautifully  exem- 
plified in  the  Master,  and  which  are  so  emi- 
nently lovely  in  the  young  convert,  nor  less  de- 
ficient in  that  firmness,  which  is  "  steadfast,  un- 


CORRUPTION     OF    DOCTRINE.        139 

movable,  always  abounding  in  the  work  of  the 
Lord."  And,  finally,  it  was  shown,  that  these 
defective  characteristics,  which  have  distin- 
guished revivals  within  the  last  twenty  years, 
are  not  necessary  to  them,  and  ought  to  be 
avoided.  If,  from  that  discussion,  the  impres- 
sion has  been  produced,  in  any  mind,  that  the 
speaker  is  unfriendly  to  revivals  of  religion, 
and  that  he  does  not  ardently  desire  to  see 
their  prevalence — to  witness  them  in  his  own 
charge,  where  a  season  of  refreshing  from  the 
the  presence  of  the  Lord  is  so  much  needed — 
and  enjoy  them  in  his  own  soul,  he  begs,  that 
such  impression  may  be  at  once  dismissed. 
If  these  were  not  his  views  and  feelings,  he 
would  be  both  ungrateful  and  traiterous  to  his 
gracious  Lord.  He  has  not  forgotten,  nor  can 
he  ever  forget,  the  blessed  seasons  he  has  wit- 
nessed and  enjoyed  in  another  part  of  the  vine- 
yard, in  days,  the  recollection  of  which  will  al- 
ways be  pleasant.  Nor  does  he  live  without 
the  hope,  that,  ere  the  Master  w^ill  call  him  to 
lay  his  hoary  head  on  its  last  pillow,  he  will 
will  give  him  to  see,  and  enjoy  with  this  flock, 
a  season  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of 
the  Lord,  which  will  make  this  hill  of  Zion 
beautiful  as  Tirzah,  and  fruitful  as  Eden.  Nor 
does  he  look  forward  to  it  as  at  a  great  dis- 
tance.   "  Brethren,  pray  for  us,  that  the  word 


140  LECTURE     VI. 

of  the  Lord  may  have  free  course,  and  be  glo- 
rified." This  train  of  thought,  the  Lord  wil- 
Hng,  will  be  pursued  on  some  other  occasion. 
At  present,  and  as  connected  with  the 

VL  Sign  of  the  times  in  which  we  live, 
I  will  direct  your  attention  to  several  things  in 
the  state  of  the  Church  which  very  seriously 
affect  her  welfare. 

L  The  first  particular  which  I  deem  it  of 
importance  to  call  up  in  this  connexion^  is  the 
corruption  of  the  doctrines  of  our  holy  religion. 

Doctrines  are  the  fundamental  principles  or 
positions  of  any  sect  or  master,  by  which  their 
systems  or  instructions  are  distinguished.  The 
doctrines  of  the  Bible  are  the  first  principles, 
or  the  fundamental  truths,  of  the  religion  which 
the  Bible  teaches.  They  must,  therefore  lie  at 
the  foundation  of  the  system  which  the  Bible 
inculcates.  They  make  the  Christian  religion 
to  be  what  it  is.  They  distinguish  it  from  all 
others.  If  therefore,  you  abstract  the  doc- 
trines, you  lose  the  system.  It  is  no  longer  the 
religion  of  Christ.  It  is  something  else.  "  The 
Scriptures,  (says  one,)  present  us  with  a  copi- 
ous fund  of  Evangelical  truth,  which,  though  it 
has  not  the  form  of  a  regular  system,  yet  its 
parts  are  such,  that,  when  united,  make  the 
most  complete  body  of  doctrine  that  we  can 
possibly  have."      If  it  be  true  that  the  doc- 


CORRUPTION  OF  DOCTRINE.    141 

trines  of  a  system  make  it  to  be  what  it  is,  as 
for  instance,  the  doctrines  of  the  Bible  make 
up  the  system  of  its  rehgion,  then  must  the 
doctrines  be  of  essential  importance.  No  man 
can  be  said  to  understand  the  religion  of  Christ 
any  further  than  he  understands  the  doctrines 
or  truths  of  which  it  is  composed,  and  w^hich 
make  it  to  be  what  it  is.  If  this  position  be 
correct,  then  it  is  reasonably  to  be  inferred,  that 
God  has  made  such  a  revelation  of  truth  or 
doctrine  in  the  Bible,  as  may  serve  to  make  a 
man  wise  unto  salvation,  and  has  made  it  intel- 
ligible, or  so  as  to  be  understood  by  those  who 
will  bestow  a  proper  degree  of  attention  upon 
it.  That  this  supposition  is  a  fact,  is  capable 
of  being  proved  to  a  demonstration.  Nor  are 
the  doctrines  of  the  Bible,  useless  with  respect 
to  practice.  For  instance: — The  doctrine  of 
God's  sovereignty  is  calculated  to  excite  sub- 
mission— his  power  and  justice  to  promote 
fear — his  holiness,  humility,  and  purity — his 
goodness  and  grace  to  furnish  a  ground  of 
hope — his  love  to  excite  joy — his  faithfulness, 
confidence.  In  like  manner  we  may  derive 
some  practical  instruction  from  every  doctrine 
of  revelation. 

Churches,  in  almost  every  age,  have  been  in 
the  practice  of  collecting  these  doctrines  to- 


142  LECTURE     VI. 

gether  in  some  systematic  form  or  order,  de- 
nominated  "Confessions  of   Faith   and  Cate- 
chisms," either  for  the  purpose  of  exhibiting 
their  views  of  the  doctrines  of  Scripture  to  the 
world,  assisting  their  own  minds  in  obtaining 
an  orderly  view  of  them  in  their  various  rela- 
tions, or  assisting  the  learner  in  obtaining  a 
correct  knowledge  of   them.     These   symbols 
of  faith  have  been  more  or  less  elaborate  and 
extensive,  as    the   circumstances  of  the  case 
have  been  thought  to  require,  and  have  gener- 
ally contained  those  doctrines  which  were  sup- 
posed to  be  most  important  and  vital  to  the 
Christian  system.     More  of  these  formularies 
were  formed  during  the  progress  of  the  Refor- 
mation than  in  any  preceding  period — and  they 
were  generally  both  more  elaborate  and  pre- 
cise.    And  this  remarkable  fact  occurred  with 
respect  to  them.     They  agreed  with  each  other 
in  relation  to  every  doctrine  which  has  been 
deemed  vital  to  the  Christian  system.    This  may 
perhaps  be  best  accounted  for  by  the  considera- 
tion that  their  framers  came  to  the  work  with 
unsophisticated  minds,  recently  illuminated  and 
sanctified  by  the  Spirit  of  all  grace,  and  not  con- 
taminated by  a  worldly  philosophy,  and  drew 
the  materials  with  which  they  wrought   fresh 
from  the  oracles  of  God.    Our  own  Confession 


CORRUPTION    OF    DOCTRINE.         143 

of  Faith  and  Catechisms,  were  of  the  number, 
and  they  will  bear  a  fair  comparison  with  the 
best  of  them. 

It  will  be  no  news  to  inform  you  that  they 
have  had  their  full  share  of  assault  from  with- 
out and  from  within.  This  has,  perhaps,  never 
been  more  strikingly  the  case  than  within  the 
last  twenty  years.  The  most  humiliating  cir- 
cumstance of  all  is,  that  the  most  violent 
assaults  and  the*  deepest  wounds  have  been 
made  by  her  sworn  allies,  or  homeborn  sons. 
These  are  signs  of  the  times  over  which  angels 
might  weep.  These  assaults  have  not  been 
made  against  the  outworks,  but  against  the 
very  citadel  of  truth.  The  robbery  has  not 
been  committed  on  "the  mint,  cummin,  and 
anise"  of  the  sanctuary;  but  on  the  "weightier 
matters  of  the  law,  truth,  judgment,  and  righte- 
ousness," the  essential  doctrines  of  the  gospel — 
those  which  distinguish  the  Christian  system 
from  all  others,  and  makes  it  to  be  what  it  is. 

Do  you  ask  what  are  the  essential  doctrines 
of  the  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God  ?  The  fall 
of  our  first  parents,  and  the  consequent  de- 
pravity, guilt,  misery,  and  helplessness,  of 
themselves  and  all  their  natural  posterity,  the 
depravity  being  inherited,  and  the  guilt  im- 
puted, by  the  just  judgment  of  God,  so  that 
all  are   "by  nature    the  children  of  wrath." 


144 


LECTURE     VI, 


The  proper  and  supreme  Deity  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  as  the  only  begotten  son  of  God. 
The  covenant  or  engagement  into  which  he 
entered  as  the  surety  of  his  people,  to  redeem 
them  from  the  curse  of  the  law,  by  bearing  its 
penalty  in  their  stead.  His  incarnation — his 
vicarious  sufferings  and  death,  by  which  he 
made  an  atonement,  by  which  he  satisfied  the 
divine  law  and  justice,  and  brought  in  an  ever- 
lasting righteousness,  so  that  God  might  be 
just  in  the  justification  of  every  one  that  be- 
lieveth  in  him,  he  having  "  Borne  their  sins  in 
his  own  body  on  the  tree."  Justification  by 
faith  through  the  imputed  righteousness  of 
Christ  alone,  as  the  meritorious  cause.  Re- 
generation by  the  supernatural  power  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  the  sinner  being  considered  as 
"dead  in  trespasses  and  sins,"  and  he,  as 
quickening*  him  into  life,  slaying  his  enmity, 
and  subduing  his  rebelhon,  not  by  moral  sua- 
sion or  motive  presented,  but  by  his  own  al- 
mighty energy,  creating  him  anew  in  Christ 
Jesus.  And  finally,  God's  electing  love  in 
choosing  them  in  Christ  Jesus  unto  salvation, 
before  the  foundation  of  the  world,  according 
to  the  good  pleasure  of  his  will,  and  not  on 
account  of  any  worthiness  or  good  foreseen  in 
them,  but  that  they  might  he  holy  and  without 
blame  before  him  in  love. 


CORRUPTION   OP   DOCTRINE.         145 

Now,  every  body  knows,  who  knows  any  thing 
correctly  about  the  matter,  that  these  are  doc- 
trines of  the  Presbyterian  Church — that  they  are 
fully  and  clearly  set  forth  in  her  standards — that 
they  have  been  publicly  professed  by  every  one 
of  her  ministers  and  elders,  who  has  not  been 
smuggled  into  office — that  they  should  be 
taught  in  all  her  pulpits,  Sabbath  Schools,  Bible 
and  Catechetical  classes — that  we  profess  to 
believe  that  they  are  drawn  immediately  from 
the  Bible,  and  that  they  are  supported  and  cor- 
roborated by  many  clear  and  indubitable  testi- 
monies, drawn  from  the  same  source.  Are  these 
doctrines  universally  credited  and  maintained  ? 
They  are  the  doctrines  of  the  Reformation,  and 
with  very  little  variation,  that  they  are  found  in 
all  the  standards  which  sprang  immediately  from 
the  Reformation  ?  In  many  instances  they  re- 
main in  the  book,  but  have  been  banished  from 
the  pulpit.  The  candidate  has  subscribed  them, 
but  the  priest's  lips  that  should  keep  knowledge, 
ueny,  and  speak  against  them.  Alas,  that  it 
should  be  so!  Is  it  not  a  dark  sign  that  men 
should  profess  one  system  of  doctrine,  and  be- 
lieve, and  teach  another  ? 

But  how  is  it  in  our  own  beloved  Zion? 
Have  all  her  sons  kept  the  faith  ?  The  follow- 
ing question  must  be  answered  in  the  affirma- 
tive by  every  minister  and  elder  who  is  inducted 

13 


146  LECTURE    VI. 

into  office  in  an  orderly  manner — "  Do  you 
sincerely  receive  and  adopt  the  Confession  of 
Faith  of  this  Church,  as  containinsr  the  svstem 
of  doctrine  taught  in  the  Holy  Scriptures?" 
This  would  seem  to  be  sufficient  to  declare  the 
sentiments,  and  bind  the  conscience  of  every 
honest  man — and  our  ministry  and  eldership 
should,  under  such  bonds,  all  be  of  one  mind, 
if  not  of  one  heart.  What  are  the  facts  of 
the  case  ?  There  is  scarcely  a  doctrine  which 
I  have  mentioned,  with  the  exception  of  the 
incarnation,  which  has  not  been  denied,  or  frit- 
tered down,  till  scarcely  one  of  its  distinguish- 
ing features  has  been  discernible. 

The  manner  of  effecting  the  object  has  been 
various.  Sometimes  a  dead  silence  has  been 
maintained  with  respect  to  every  leading  doc- 
trine of  the  Christian  system,  because  the  peo- 
ple, it  is  alleged,  do  not  like,  or  will  not  bear 
the  preaching  of  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel — 
or  because  the  preacher  does  not  believe  them 
to  be  of  importance,  or  the  preaching  of  them 
to  be  of  injurious  tendency — while  at  the  same 
time  the  preacher  inculcates,  and  the  people 
hear,  and  bear  doctrines  of  a  contrary  charac- 
ter. So  that  the  objection  lies  not  against  doc- 
trinal preaching,  but  against  the  preaching  of 
the  distinguishing  doctrines  of  the  gospel — for 
who  can  preach  or  instruct  at  all,  and  yet  teach 


CORRUPTION    OF    DOCTRINE.  147 

no  doctrine.  What  is  doctrine,  but  the  senti- 
ment entertained  concerning  a  subject.  Ano- 
ther method  of  corrupting  or  destroying  the 
truth  or  doctrines  of  the  gospel,  is,  to  profess  to 
beheve  the  doctrines,  and  hold  them  in  the  same 
sense  with  others,  but  to  give  contrary  or  dis- 
crepant views  of  them,  and  call  them  the  phi- 
losopliy  of  those  doctrines.  Our  view^s  of  doc- 
trine agree,  say  they ;  we  differ  only  in  their 
philosophy.  What  is  the  philosophy  of  a  doc- 
trine, but  the  particular  view  which  a  man  en- 
tertains of  it,  or  the  amount  of  his  belief  con- 
cerning it?  Thus,  by  a  philosophy,  false  so 
called,  is  the  truth  undermined,  and  the  faith  of 
the  Church  subverted.  They  hang  these  ap- 
ples of  Sodom  on  the  tree  of  life,  ask  us  to 
eat  them,  as  heavenly  fruit,  but  they  turn  to 
ashes  in  the  mouth.  And  the  salve  for  the 
conscience  is,  that  when  they  were  supposed 
to  receive  the  Confession  of  Faith  as  contain- 
ing the  system  of  doctrines  taught  in  the  Holy 
Scriptures^  they  meant  it  only,  "  For  substance 
of  doctrine."  That  is;  they  received  it  as 
a  whole,  that  they  might  impugn  or  reject  as 
much  of  it  as  they  pleased  in  detail.  Of  this, 
the  age  in  which  we  live  has  furnished  proofs 
and  illustrations  enough  to  satisfy  the  most 
sceptical. 


148  LECTURE     VI. 

It  has  been  said,  that  "original  sin"  is  one  of 
the  essential  doctrines  of  the  Christian  religion. 
It  holds  a  prominent  place  in  our  Confession  of 
Faith.  It  is  thus  defined:  "They  (our  first 
parents)  being  the  root  of  all  mankind,  the  guilt 
of  this  sin  (their  first  transgression)  was  im- 
puted, and  the  same  death  in  sin,  and  corrupted 
nature  conveyed  to  all  their  posterity,  descend- 
ing from  them  by  ordinary  generation."  This, 
some  deny  entirely.  Others  say,  all  men  are 
not  sinners  by  nature,  any  more  than  Adam 
was.  They  are  only  liable  to  sin,  if  they  live 
to  perform  moral  acts.  Others  say,  they  will 
certainly  sin.  And  one  of  great  notoriety, 
who,  in  words,  acknowledges  original  sin,  sums 
up  his  exposition  of  Rom,  v.  12,  by  saying,  "I 
understand  it,  therefore,  as  referring  to  the 
fact,  that  men  sin  in  their  own  persons,  in 
themselves — as,  indeed,  how  can  they  sin  in 
any  other  way  ?  and  that,  therefore,  they  die ;" 
evidently  implying,  that  no  man  can  be  a  sin- 
ner, nor,  as  such,  die,  till  he  has  voluntarily 
committed  some  act  of  sin.  How  this  consists 
with  orignal  sin,  and  the  death  of  infants,  it 
would  be  difficult  to  show.  No  doctrine  of 
revelation  has  been  more  misconstrued,  mis- 
represented, hated,  and  impugned.  Errorists, 
of  every  name,  have   assailed   it  with   every 


CORRUPTION    OF    DOCTRINE.         149 

weapon  they  have  been  able  to  bring  to  bear 
against  it.  And  yet,  it  has  been  written  in  the 
oracles  of  God  with  the  clearness  of  a  sun- 
beam, and  is  attested  by  every  death  which 
has  ever  occurred  on  earth,  as  well  as  by  the 
anguish  of  every  father  and  mother  who  have 
buried  an  infant. 

But  this,  is  not  the  only  important  Christian 
doctrine  which  has  been  assailed.  Our  Savi- 
our's proper  and  supreme  deity  has  been  as- 
saulted in  a  variety  of  forms.  While  the 
thorough  Unitarian  has  made  him  a  mere 
man,  and  the  Arian  has  allowed  him  an  an- 
gelic or  super-angelic  existence  before  his  in- 
carnation, making  him  a  kind  of  official  God, 
the  philosophical  speculatist,  anxious  to  solve 
every  mystery  in  the  deep  things  of  God,  and, 
unable  to  explain  what  is  meant  by  the  divine 
and  eternal  Sonship  of  Christ,  has  not  only  en- 
deavoured to  maintain  his  divinity  by  a  crip- 
pled and  enfeebled  argument,  but  with  wanton 
impiety  called,  what  he  could  not  comprehend, 
"  an  eternal  absurdity,"  while  his  Socinian 
neighbour  stood  by,  and  exclaimed,  "Well 
done,  my  brother ;"  and  his  humble  followers, 
in  the  Presbyterian  and  other  churches,  echoed 
his  folly,  if  not  his  impiety,  and  strengthened 
the  hands  of  the  enemies  of  this  great  and  es- 
sential truth,  "  Jesus  Christ  is  God  over  all." 

13* 


150  LECTURE     VI. 

Again: — The  covenant  of  works,  in  which 
Adam  is  considered  as  the  federal  head  and  re- 
presentative of  all  his  natural  posterity,  in  con- 
sequence of  the  violation  of  which  they  all  in- 
herit a  depraved  nature,  and,  by  the  just  judg- 
ment of  God,  the  guilt  of  that  first  sin  (not 
the  sin  itself,  or  the  act  of  sinning,  as  some 
ignorantly  or  wilfully  misrepresent  it,  hut  the 
guilt  of  it,)  is  imputed  to  them,  is  a  doctrine 
clearly  taught  in  our  standards,  as  well  as 
those  of  other  churches,  and  fully  acknow- 
ledged by  all  our  ministers  and  elders  at  their 
ordination.  This  is  the  language  of  our  Con- 
fession of  Faith.  "  The  first  covenant  made 
with  man  was  a  covenant  of  works,  wherein 
hfe  was  promised  to  Adam,  and,  in  him,  to  his 
posterity,  upon  condition  of  perfect  and  per- 
sonal obedience."  All  this,  is  denied,  spoken 
against,  and  even  ridiculed  as  an  absurdity,  by 
some;  and  by  some,  who  have  publicly  re- 
ceived it  as  an  article  of  their  own  faith,  a 
part  of  that  "  system  of  doctrine  taught  in  the 
Holy  Scriptures."  This,  is  the  language  of 
one,  and  the  sentiment  of  many — printed  in 
books,  and  taught  from  the  pulpit.  "Various 
attempts  have  been  made  to  explain  the  intro- 
duction and  propagation  of  sin  in  our  world. 
The  most  common  has  been — that  Adam  was 
the  representative  of  the  race ;   that  he  was  a 


CORRUPTION    OF    DOCTRINE.         151 

covenant  head,  and  that  sin  was  imputed  to  his 
posterity,  and  that  they  were  held  hable  to 
punishment  for  it  as  if  they  had  committed  it 
themselves.  But  to  this,  there  are  great  and 
insuperable  objections  :  1.  There  is  not  one 
word  of  it  in  the  Bible.  Neither  the  terms 
representative,  covenant,  or  impute,  are  ever 
applied  to  the  transaction  in  the  sacred  Scrip- 
tures. 2.  It  is  a  mere  philosophical  theory; 
an  introduction  of  a  speculation  into  theology, 
with  an  attempt  to  explain  what  the  Bible  has 
left  unexplained."  It  is  afterwards  said,  in 
the  same  connexion,  "  It  compels  us  at  once  to 
ask  the  question,  how  can  this  be  just  ?"  All 
this  may  possibly  be  true.  It  may  be  good 
theology.  It  may  be  sound  philosophy.  It 
may  even  be  scriptural.  Although  I  do  not 
believe  it  is  either,  but  the  germ  of  a  heresy,  if 
not  itself  a  heresy — and  so  accounted  in  the 
standards  of  our  Church.  Whatever  it  may 
be  to  others,  we  are  bound  to  esteem  it  a  great 
error,  leading  to  others.  He  who  should  call 
it  the  mother  of  Pelagianism,  would  not  give  it 
a  wTong  name.  I  wonder  how  a  Presbyterian 
minister,  holding  the  sentiment,  must  feel,  upon 
a  prayerful  revision  of  his  ordination  profes- 
sions and  vows  ? 

The  atonement,  a  co-ordinate  and  essential 
doctrine  of  our  holy  religion,  has  fared  no  bet- 


152  LECTURE    VI. 

ter,  in  these  days  of  speculation,  restlessness, 
and  "march  of  mind,"  than  its  correlates. 
The  doctrine  is  thus  defined  in  our  Confession 
of  Faith :  "  The  Lord  Jesus,  by  his  perfect 
obedience  and  sacrifice  of  himself,  which  he, 
through  the  eternal  Spirit,  once  oflfered  up  unto 
God,  hath  fully  satisfied  the  justice  of  his  Fa- 
ther; and  purchased,  not  only  reconciliation, 
but  an  everlasting  inheritance  in  the  kingdom 
of  heaven,  for  all  those  whom  the  Father  hath 
given  unto  him."  How  has  this  doctrine  been 
received  ?  Vital  as  it  is  to  the  Christian  sys- 
tem, it  has  been  assailed  from  many  quarters. 
The  Unitarian,  as  you  know,  denies  it  alto- 
gether. Some  have,  in  words  as  well  as  in 
fact,  denied  the  vicarious  nature  of  the  death 
of  Christ,  alleging,  that  he  died  for  sin  in  the 
abstract,  w^iich  is  making  no  atonement  at  all, 
and  w^ould  be  as  available  for  the  sins  of  devils 
as  of  men.  Others  have  represented  it  as,  "  A 
satisfaction  rendered  to  the  public  justice  of 
God,  giving  him  an  occasion  to  express  his  dis- 
pleasure against  sin,  and  exercise  his  mercy  in 
the  forgiveness  of  sinners" — a  very  lame  ac- 
count of  so  important  a  matter,  leaving  the  de- 
mands of  the  law,  and  the  justification  of  the 
sinner,  where  it  found  them,  and  as  unscrip- 
tural  as  lame.  And  others  again,  in  order  to 
get   clear  of  the    doctrine   of  imputation,  to 


CORRUPTION    OP    DOCTRINE.         153 

which  they  have  a  mortal  aversion  in  all  its 
forms  and  bearings,  although  Christ  "  bore  our 
sins  in  his  own  body  on  the  tree," — and  God 
"  hath  laid  on  him  the  iniquity  of  us  all," — 
and  he  has  "  brought  in  an  everlasting  righte- 
ousness,"— "  that  we  might  be  made  the  righ- 
teousness of  God  in  him,"  deny  that  he  bore 
the  "  penalty  of  the  law,"  although  that  penalty 
was  "  death ;"  and  he  "  died  for  us,"  or  in  our 
stead,  and  "  was  made  of  a  woman,  and  made 
under  the  law,"  for  that  very  purpose.  To 
such  wretched  subterfuo^es  will  men  resort  to 
get  rid  of  the  truth,  and  ease  their  consciences 
of  the  pressure  of  their  vows.  These  prac- 
tices have  been  so  general,  that  simple-hearted 
Christians  have  found  it  difficult  to  know  what 
truth  is,  and  to  exclaim  with  tears,  "They 
have  taken  away  my  Lord,  and  I  know  not 
where  they  have  laid  him." 

Justification  by  faith,  which  Luther  called, 
"  the  article  by  which  the  Church  stands  or 
falls,"  has  been  assailed  with  no  less  violence 
and  bitterness.  Satan  and  his  emissaries  have 
always  had  a  peculiar  hatred  against  it.  The 
doctrine  is  thus  defined  in  the  Larger  Cate- 
chism :  "  Justification  is  an  act  of  God's  free 
grace  unto  sinners,  in  which  he  pardoneth  all 
their  sin,  accepteth  and  accounteth  their  per- 
sons as  righteous  in  his  sight ;  not  for  any  thing 


154  LECTURE     VI. 

wrought  in  them,  or  done  by  them,  but  only 
for  the  perfect  obedience  and  full  satisfaction 
of  Christ,  by  God  imputed  to  them,  and  re- 
ceived by  faith  alone."  Every  erroneous 
view  of  the  atonement  affects,  in  an  equal 
degree,  the  doctrine  of  justification.  When 
the  first  is  given  up,  the  last  will  fall  as  a 
matter  of  course — and  where  modified  views 
of  the  former  are  held,  they  will  aflfect  the 
latter  also.  We  accordingly  find  that  when 
the  doctrine  of  imputation  is  denied  with  re- 
spect to  our  fallen  state,  it  is  also  denied  with 
respect  to  the  death  of  Christ,  and  the  justifica- 
tion of  sinners — so  that  in  the  first  case,  a  por- 
tion of  our  race  die  without  being  guilty,  in  the 
second  case  Christ  suflfers  inconceivably  without 
any  charge  of  guilt  on  his  own  account,  or  that 
of  others,  and  in  the  third  case,  sinners  are  jus- 
tified under  a  violated  law  without  any  right- 
eousness of  their  own,  or  another's,  and  hence 
justification  becomes  a  mere  pardon,  contrary 
to  the  whole  showing  of  the  Scriptures,  as  well 
as  our  standards,  in  which  the  ideas  of  substitu- 
tion and  satisfaction  are  kept  continually  before 
the  mind,  and  are  considered  as  essential  to 
every  correct  idea  of  the  true  nature  of  the 
atonement.  In  modern  instruction,  however, 
no  doctrine  is  so  seldom  brought  to  view,  and 
on  no  subject  do  you  hear  such  imperfect  and 


CORRUPTION     OF    DOCTRINE.         155 

unscriptural  exhibitions.  Men  seem  to  be  afraid 
of  making  God  just  as  well  as  merciful  in  what 
the  Scriptures  denominate  justification;  and 
they  improperly  call  it  simple  pardon.  Indeed, 
few  of  them  can  explain  the  difference  between 
them,  although  pardon  is  a  mere  remission  of 
punishment,  and  justification  means  additionally 
a  restoration  to  the  divine  favour,  and  a  valid 
title  to  eternal  life.  The  difference  between 
the  views  entertained  on  this  all  important 
subject,  well  nigh  constitute  what  Paul  calls 
"  another  Gospel." 

Nor  has  the  doctrine  of  Regeneration  been 
less  corrupted.  This  benefit  of  the  Covenant 
of  Grace  is  in  our  standards  denominated, 
"Effectual  calling,"  and  is  defined  to  be  "the 
work  of  God's  Spirit,  whereby,  convincing  us 
of  our  sin  and  misery,  enlightening  our  minds 
in  the  knowledge  of  Christ,  and  renewing  our 
wills,  he  doth  persuade  and  enable  us  to  em- 
brace Jesus  Christ,  freely  offered  to  us  in  the 
gospel."  Here  we  have  a  work  of  God's 
Spirit  on  the  heart;  by  which  the  dead  sinner 
is  renewed  or  quickened,  the  blind  has  his  eyes 
divinely  opened  and  illuminated,  the  careless 
one  is  convinced  of  his  sinful  and  lost  estate, 
his  rebellious  will  is  renewed  or  subdued  to  new 
obedience,  and  his  heart  enabled,  persuaded, 
or  influenced  by  gospel  motives,  to  embrace, 


156  LECTUREVI. 

and  of  course  to  follow  Christ — and  this  repre- 
sentation of  the    case   fully  agrees  with   the 
Scriptures.      Now   what    is    this    in    modern 
theology    and    preaching?     A   change   of  the 
governing  purpose^  a  thing  which  it  is   said  a 
man  can  as  easily  effect  as  he  can  change  his 
business  or  his  coat.     And  how  ?     Why  by  a 
mere  act  of  his  own  will.     Hence  a  Presby- 
terian minister,  in  a  Presbyterian  pulpit  in  this 
city,  prayed,  "  We  do  not  ask  thee,  O  Lord,  to 
give  these  sinners  power :    Thou  knowest  that 
they  have  power  enough."     And  how  is  this 
great  change  effected?      By  moral  suasion — 
the  preacher's  skill  in  argumentation,  or  ability 
in  presenting  motives  of  persuasion.     If  the 
Holy  Ghost  has  any  thing  to  do  with  the  mat- 
ter, it  is  to  help  the  preacher  to  argue  and  per- 
suade.    The  poor    hearer's  eternal  destiny  is 
thus  committed  to  the  tender  mercy  and  skill 
of  his  spiritual  guide.     As  to  spiritual  illumina- 
tion, communication  of  knowledge,  and  con- 
vinction  of  sin,  we  hear  no  more  of  them,  than 
if  the   Scriptures  had  been   silent   concerning 
them,  or  the  sinner  had  not  needed  them.     Ac- 
cording to  this  scheme,  and  it  is  of  wide  cur- 
rency, regeneration  is  nothing  more  than  the 
stern  determination  of  a  man's  own  will  to  be 
religious.      And  when  we  press  them  with  the 
difficulties  of  the  case,  and  the  teaching  of  the 


CORRUPTION     OF     DOCTRINE.        157 

Scriptures  on  the  subject,  they  think  they  have 
sufficiently  answered  us  by  a  sneer  at  "  Physi- 
cal Regeneration."  The  practical  effect  of  all 
this  has  been  to  fill  the  Church  with  ignorant 
and  unsound  professors,  from  which  nothing 
but  the  work  of  the  Spirit,  time,  discipline,  or 
death  will  deliver  her. 

I  add,  lastly,  though  I  might  greatly  extend 
my  remarks,  that  the  doctrine  of  election,  with 
every  thing  relating  to  the  divine  sovereignty, 
is  very  extensively  passed  by  in  dead  silence,  as 
antiquated  and  useless,  or  stripped  of  most  of 
its  peculiar  and  essential  characteristics,  in  or- 
der to  render  it  more  palatable  to  carnal  minds, 
and  bring  it  into  an  easier  unison  with  the 
views  which  are  held  of  the  other  doctrines  of 
which  I  have  spoken.  The  more  common 
mode,  however,  has  been  to  suffer  it  to  go  into 
disuse  by  default.  It  was  my  design  to  have 
directed  your  attention,  in  connexion  with  the 
part  of  the  subject  considered  this  evening,  to 
the  effects  of  this,  in  the  alienation  of  feehng, 
and  want  of  concert  of  action  produced  by  it, 
too  great  reliance  on  human  plans  and  efforts, 
and  the  withdrawal  of  the  influences  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  from  the  Church.  But  time  has 
failed  me,  and  I  must  leave  these  important 
topics  to  another  occasion. 

14 


158  LECTURE    VI. 

These  wide  discrepancies  from  the  Gospel  of 
the  grace  of  God,  in  their  rapid  advance  and 
extensive  spread,  are  intimately  connected  with 
the  speculative  disposition  of  a  portion  of  our 
countrymen ;  a  pride  of  intellect  which  cannot 
bear  to  leave  any  thing  unexplained;  a  foolish 
notion  that  a  system  of  revealed  truth,  compre- 
hending the  wisdom  of  God,  is  as  improvable 
in  the  hands  of  a  poor,  ignorant,  short-sighted 
mortal,  as  a  human  art  or  science  which  he  has 
left  us  to  spell  out  by  the  imperfect  light  of  our 
reason;  the  desire  of  accommodating  the  doc- 
trines of  religion  to  the  corrupt  dispositions  of 
men,  and  rendering  them  more  palatable  to  the 
carnal  mind ;  but  above  all,  by  the  deceitfulness 
of  sin.  "  The  nineteenth  century,"  and  "  the 
march  of  mind,"  have  become  phrases  of  talis- 
manic  power,  which,  if  a  man  can  well  pro- 
nounce, will  make  him  a  giant  in  philosophy 
and  theology  too,  even  if  he  cannot  dig  a  single 
root  in  his  Hebrew  Bible,  construct  an  argument 
from  prepared  materials,  or  connect  two  ideas 
together  in  an  orderly  manner. 

There  have,  however,  been  other  causes  in 
operation  which  have  had  a  mighty  influence  on 
this  momentous  subject,  the  influence  of  which 
has  been  gradual  and  almost  unsuspected. 
There  was  a  time  when  the  ministers  and  elders 


CORRUPTION     OF     DOCTRINE.        159 

of  the  churches  felt  that  the  children  of  the 
congregation  were  their  special  charge,  to  be 
watched  over,  and  instructed  in  the  first  princi- 
ples of  our  holy  religion  as  contained  in  our 
Catechisms.  There  was  also  a  time  when 
Christian  parents  felt  it  to  be  their  duty  at  some 
time  on  the  Lord's  day,  commonly  in  the  even- 
ing, to  gather  their  offspring  together,  and  ex- 
amine them  on  their  knowledge  of  the  Cate- 
chism, as  well  as  instruct  them,  and  pray  with 
them.  But  for  a  number  of  years  past,  unless 
the  practice  has  been  recently  changed,  these 
laudable  endeavours  to  bring  the  young  up  in 
the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord  have 
gone  into  disuse.  This  has  in  part  arisen  from 
the  idea  that  they  received  a  sufficiency  of  in- 
struction in  the  Sabbath  school,  where,  till  re- 
cently, a  Catechism  was  seldom  found.  By 
this  means,  ministers,  elders,  and  parents  found 
it  an  easy  matter  to  relieve  their  consciences  of 
a  weighty  burden.  But  the  consequence  has 
been,  that  a  generation  or  two  of  our  youth 
have  grown  up  without  any  systematic  and  or- 
derly instruction  in  divine  things,  well  prepared 
to  be  impressed  by  every  novelty,  and  carried 
about  by  every  wind  of  doctrine  which  blow 
upon  them.  Would  it  be  strange  if  a  field  thus 
cultivated  should  produce  a  harvest  of  tares  ? 


160  LECTURE     VI. 

Shall  we  not,  my  dear  hearers,  learn  wisdom 
from  the  past  ?  Shall  all  our  unhappy  experi- 
ence be  lost  upon  us?  Then  will  God  in  vain 
have  held  up  before  us  this  dark  "  sign  of  the 
times."  We  shall  resemble  the  children  of  Is- 
rael, of  whom  the  Lord  says :  "  Who  among 
you  will  give  ear  to  this?  who  will  hearken, 
and  hear  for  the  time  to  come?  who  gave  Ja- 
cob for  a  spoil,  and  Israel  to  the  robbers?  did 
not  the  Lord,  he,  against  whom  we  have  sin- 
ned ?  for  they  would  not  walk  in  his  ways,  nei- 
ther were  they  obedient  unto  his  law.  There- 
fore he  hath  poured  upon  him  the  fury  of  his 
anger,  and  the  strength  of  battle :  and  it  hath 
set  him  on  fire  round  about,  yet  he  knew  not; 
and  it  burned  him,  yet  he  laid  it  not  to  heart." 
This  has  been  strikingly  verified  in  the  present 
day,  with  respect  to  errors  in  doctrine.  The 
enemy  came  in  so  gently,  so  disguised;  and 
when  the  mask  began  to  fall  off,  there  was  so 
much  zeal,  activity,  bustle,  and  seeming  good 
accomplished,  that  the  friends  of  sound  doc- 
trine were  afraid  to  lift  up  their  voices,  lest, 
happily,  they  might  be  found  contending 
against  God.  And  in  the  mean  time,  those 
who  had  sufficient  discernment  to  observe  the 
course  of  events,  and  sufficient  courage  to 
stand  in  the  breach,  and  sound  the  alarm,  were 


CORRUPTION    OF    DOCTRINE.         161 

Stigmatized  as  old  dotards^  who  were  at  least 
fifty  years  behind  the  spirit  of  the  age,  the  ene- 
mies of  revivals,  and  the  conversion  of  the 
world.  It  was  no  easy  thing  to  stand  up 
against  such  a  host,  and  maintain  the  cause  of 
truth  and  order.  The  wonder  is,  that  a  stand 
was  made,  and  the  progress  of  the  evil  ar- 
rested. 

And,  now,  what  is  duty?  To  learn  wisdom 
from  experience — to  let  the  past  teach  us. 
This  exhortation  of  God  seems  to  me  to  be 
appropriately  addressed  to  his  people  at  the 
present  day :  "  Stand  ye  in  the  ways,  and  see, 
and  ask  for  the  old  paths — where  is  the  good 
way,  and  walk  therein,  and  ye  shall  find  rest 
for  your  souls."  Study  the  truth.  Love  the 
truth.  Maintain  the  truth.  See  to  it,  that  it 
be  taught  in  the  churches,  and  particularly  to 
your  youth  and  children.  Especiallly  let  pa- 
rents see  to  it,  that  it  is  taught  to  their  chil- 
dren, not  only  in  the  Sabbath-school  and  cate- 
chetical class,  but  in  their  houses,  and  from 
their  lips ;  for  to  whom  will  children  hsten  with 
as  much  attention  and  interest,  as  to  their  own 
fathers  and  mothers?  Draw  out  the  practical 
eflfects  of  the  doctrines  you  profess  in  your 
lives,  and  prove  to  gainsayers,  that  the  truth 
produces  godliness.     And  put  to  the  blush  the 

14* 


162  LECTURE   VI. 

vile  aspersion,  that  adherence  to  truth  and  or- 
der are  inimical  to  practical  religion  and  revi- 
vals, by  renewed  activity  in  promoting  the 
cause  of  God,  both  at  home  and  abroad ;  and 
by  being  much  engaged  in  that  "  fervent  and 
effectual  prayer,"  vv^hich  the  Word  of  God, 
and  the  experience  of  his  people  teach,  is  so 
effectual  in  drawing  down  blessings  from  his 
throne.  Thus  will  you  put  gainsayers  to  si- 
lence, and  promote  that  "kingdom,  which  is 
righteousness,  and  peace,  and  joy  in  the  Holy 
Ghost." 

"  Now,  the  God  of  peace,  that  brought  again 
from  the  dead  our  Lord  Jesus,  that  great 
Shepherd  of  the  sheep,  through  the  blood  of 
the  everlasting  covenant,  make  you  perfect  in 
every  good  work,  to  do  his  will,  working  in 
you  that  which  is  well  pleasing  in  his  sight, 
through  Jesus  Christ,  to  whom  be  glory  for 
ever  and  ever." 


LECTURE    VII. 

EFFECTS   OF  CORRUPTION  IN  DOCTRINE. 

MATTHEW  XVI.  III. 

CAN  YE  NOT  DISCERN  THE  SIGNS  OF   THE  TIMES. 

The  last  "  sign  of  the  times,"  to  which  our  at- 
tention was  directed,  was — The  alarming  and 
extensive  corruption  of  doctrine  which  exists 
at  the  present  day,  particularly  in  our  own 
Church.  It  was  remarked,  that  we  may  un- 
derstand by  doctrine,  any  thing  which  is 
taught.  Applied  to  religion  it  means,  the  sup- 
posed truths  or  tenets  which  constitute  it  what 
it  is,  and  give  it  a  distinctive  character.  The 
doctrines  of  the  Christian  religion  are,  the  truths 
which  are  taught  in  the  Bible,  and  these  go  to 
make  up  what  is  called,  "The  Christian  sys- 
tem." These  have  been  embodied  in  formulas 
of  greater  or  less  extent,  and  have  been  vari- 
ously denominated,  "  Confessions  of  Faith,  or 
"  Articles  of  Religion,"  and  "  Catechisms,"  ac- 
cording to  the  form  into  which  they  have  been 
thrown. 


164  LECTURE    VII. 

It  was  also  remarked,  that  strong  objections 
had  been  made  to  what  is  called,  "doctrinal 
preaching,"  principally  upon  the  ground  that  it 
was  unnecessary.  To  which  it  was  replied, 
that  the  objection,  if  carried  out,  would  pre- 
clude all  preaching  or  instruction,  and,  that 
those  who  were  the  loudest  in  their  objections, 
still  had  doctrines  of  their  own,  with  the  incul- 
cation of  which  they  were  well  pleased;  so 
that,  the  objection  lay  only  against  the  doc- 
trines which  they  did  not  relish.  It  was  then 
shown,  that  out  of  this  had  grown,  in  the  first 
place,  the  neglect  of  certain  doctrines,  and  then 
their  rejection,  the  intermediate  step  being,  the 
inculcating  of  a  new  philosophy  on  the  subject, 
directly  hostile  to  its  plain  meaning,  while  the 
doctrine  itself  was  professed  to  be  believed. 

A  general  view  was  taken  of  the  leading 
doctrines  of  the  Christian  system ;  and  it  was 
shown,  that  almost  every  one  of  them  has  been 
impugned  by  modern  error ists,  particularly  in 
our  own  Church,  ascertained  and  proved,  by 
comparing  our  Confession  of  Faith  and  Cate- 
chisms with  the  instructions  of  these  men  from 
the  pulpit  and  the  press,  on  the  same  subjects. 
The  discrepancy  was  seen  to  be  wide  and  radi- 
cal; and  it  was  remarked,  that  it  was  calcu- 
lated to  produce  great  and  unhappy  effects. 
Three  points  were  particularly  mentioned,  but 


EFFECTS   OF    CORRUPT   DOCTRINE.  165 

their  discussion  and  elucidation  were,  for  want 
of  time,  postponed  to  this  evening,  viz:  1st. 
"  AUenation  of  feehng,  and  want  of  concert  in 
action."  2d.  A  too  great  reUance  on  instru- 
ments to  the  neglect  of  God.  3d.  The  with- 
drawal of  the  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
from  the  Church.  These  topics,  according  to 
promise,  will  constitute  the  matter  of  our  medi- 
tation this  evening,  in  the  order  in  which  they 
have  been  mentioned. 

1st.  Alienation  in  feeling  and  want  of  con- 
cert in  action. 

It  is  a  well  established  principle,  that  two  can- 
not walk  together  except  they  he  agreed.  What 
men  possess  in  common  with  each  other,  is 
always  the  basis  of  their  association,  and  the 
cause  of  the  satisfaction  which  they  derive 
from  it.  This  is  particularly  the  case  in  the 
concerns  of  religion.  Any  great  discrepancy 
of  views,  especially  with  respect  to  important 
principles,  will,  as  far  as  they  go,  abate  a  por- 
tion of  that  warm  and  reciprocal  affection 
which  makes  intercourse  so  delightful,  and 
action  so  harmonious  and  efficient.  The 
converse  of  this  is  equally  true.  When  men 
disagree,  they  cannot  exercise  that  full  flow  of 
affection,  and  that  combination  of  energy  in 
action,  which  renders  intercourse  so  delight- 
ful, and  action  so  powerful.     It  may  be  asked, 


166  LECTURE     VII. 

how  this  consists,  for  instance,  with  the  affec- 
tionate union  and  vigorous  efforts  of  the  va- 
rious denominations  of  professing  Christians, 
differing  so  widely  from  each  other  in  points 
which  are  deemed  not  unimportant,  and  even 
radical,  in  the  great  Bible  cause.  The  reason 
is  found  in  a  principal  which  has  been  incor- 
porated in  the  Constitution  of  every  general 
Bible  Society,  in  these  Avords — "without  note 
or  comment."  Take  this  away,  and  you 
would  have  as  many  Bible  Societies  as  there 
are  denominations.  And,  if  it  should  be  fur- 
ther asked,  how  this  accords  with  the  affection 
entertained  for  each  other  by  Christians  of  dif- 
ferent denominations?  I  would  answer,  in  this 
case,  each  believes  the  other  to  be  honest  in  his 
profession,  and  a  sincere  follower  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  and  in  this  is  laid  the  foundation 
of  a  sohd  and  reciprocal  affection. 

The  case  is  widely  different  where  the  par- 
ties concerned  profess  the  same  creed,  but  the 
one  receives  it,  and  teaches  it,  in  its  plain,  ob- 
vious, and  generally  received  sense ;  while  the 
other  holds  his  solemn  profession  of  it  as  a  mat- 
ter of  very  little  importance,  and  in  his  prac- 
tice under  it,  explains  it  away,  and  formally, 
as  w^ell  as  circumstantially,  contradicts  it,  and 
teaches  what  is  directly  contrary  to  it.  In  the 
one  case  we  may  respect  a  man  for  his  inte- 


EFFECTS    OF    CORRUPT    DOCTRINE.  167 

grity,  and  have  confidence  in  his  character, 
while  in  the  other,  it  is  no  easy  matter  to 
divest  ourselves  of  the  idea  that  we  are  deal- 
ing with  a  double-minded  man,  who  is  acting  a 
part  to  answer  some  unholy  and  selfish  pur- 
pose. 

It  has  been  thought  that  both  truth  and  error 
leave  their  own  impress  on  the  mind.  Truth, 
especially  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  has  the 
effect  to  purify  the  heart,  and  attach  it  to  truth 
and  righteousness.  While  error  blinds  the 
mind,  and  leads  the  heart  away  from  God,  and 
makes  it  reckless  of  all  truth.  Errorists  are, 
therefore,  in  danger  of  being  given  over  to 
strong  delusion,  even  to  the  believing  of  a  lie. 
None  are  in  so  great  danger  of  this  as  those 
who,  by  a  formal  and  solemn  profession,  are 
connected  with  churches  who  hold  as  funda- 
mental, the  truths  which  are  diametrically  op- 
posed to  their  errors.  And  the  reason  is  ob- 
vious. The  connection  is  formed,  if  not  in 
falsehood,  yet  in  derogation  of  the  truth,  in 
mental  reservation  or  prevarication.  They  do 
not  mean  literally  what  others  understand  by 
their  language  and  acts. 

Such  original  departures  from  candour  and 
openfaced  honesty  have  an  evil  influence  on 
the  conscience  which  is  not  easily  overcome. 
It  gives  a  warp  to  the  very  principle  of  truth 


168  LECTURE    VII. 

in  a  man's  heart  which  rarely  ceases  to  affect 
him  through  hfe,  and  if  it  does  not  lead  him  to 
barefaced  falsehood,  it  will  make  him  uncan- 
did  and  trickish.     He  ^\i\\  verify  the  adage, 

"  Just  as  the  twig-  is  bent  the  tree's  inclined." 

This  has  been  found  lamentably  true  with  res- 
pect to  some  of  the  leading  errorists  of  the 
Christian  Church.  Among  these,  Pelagius,  who 
flourished  in  the  early  part  of  the  fifth  century, 
holds  a  prominent  rank.  Milner  in  his  Church 
History  gives  the  following  account  of  him — 
"  His  first  writings  were  an  Epistle  to  Paulinus 
of  Nola,  and  other  little  works,  in  which  his 
erroneous  views  of  grace  were  so  artfully  ex- 
pressed, and  so  guarded  with  cautious  terms, 
that  Augustine  owns  he  was  almost  deceived 
by  them.  But  when  he  saw  his  other  writings 
of  a  later  date,  he  discerned  that  he  might 
artfully  own  the  word  grace,  and  by  retaining 
the  term,  break  the  force  of  prejudice,  and 
avoid  offence,  and  yet  conceal  his  meaning 
under  a  general  ambiguity." 

"For,  by  a  dexterity  very  common  with 
heretics,  Pelagius,  while  he  laid  open  to  his 
converts  the  whole  mystery  of  his  doctrine, 
imparted  only  so  much  to  others  as  might  be 
more  calculated  to  ensnare  their  affections  than 
to  inform  them  of  his  real  opinions.     He  used 


EFFECTS    OF    CORRUPT   DOCTRINE.  169 

to  deliver  his  views  under  the  modest  appear- 
ance of  queries,  started  against  the  doctrines 
of  the  Church,  and  those  as  not  invented  by 
himself,  but  by  others.  The  effect  of  poison- 
ing the  minds  of  men  was,  however,  perhaps 
more  powerfully  produced  by  this,  than  it 
would  have  been  by  a  more  direct  and  posi- 
tive method."  It  is  added,  that  "  his  attempts 
were  to  undermine  the  doctrines  of  grace." 

Arminius  and  his  followers  in  Holland,  ma- 
nifested the  same  disposition,  and  followed 
a  similar  course.  After  entering  upon  the 
solemn  duties  of  their  holy  offices,  under  the 
most  solemn  pledges  which  men  could  give,  of 
believing  the  doctrines  held  by  the  Church,  and 
engaging  to  teach  them,  they  laboured  with 
all  their  might,  in  a  clandestine  manner,  to  un- 
dermine and  destroy  them— and  they  left  no 
species  of  trick  or  subterfuge  unemployed  to 
deceive  and  blind  those  who  were  opposed  to 
them  as  to  their  real  sentiments,  gain  time 
to  propagate  their  doctrines,  strengthen  their 
cause,  and  escape  the  condemnation  which 
they  justly  deserved. 

Any  person  who  will  read  with  attention  the 
history  of  these  errorists,  and  compare  them 
with  the  course  pursued  by  those  of  the  pre- 
sent day,  will  be  amazed  to  observe  the  simi- 

15 


170  LECTURE     VII. 

larity,  and  especially  with  respect  to  candour 
and  truth.  This  remark  will  probably  apply  to 
all  errorists  who  enter  churches,  being  error- 
ists,  or  who,  becoming  such,  determine  to  re- 
main in  them.  They  commence  their  course 
in  deceit  and  implied  falsehood,  and  vitiate  and 
weaken  their  moral  sense  at  the  start,  and  give 
their  consciences  a  lurch  from  which  they 
rarely  recover.  This  ought  not  to  surprise  us. 
The  obligations  which  the  clergyman  takes 
upon  his  soul,  when  he  assumes  his  sacred 
office,  are  of  so  awful  a  nature,  that  if  he  can 
bring  his  conscience  to  trifle  with  truth  in  that 
transaction,  he  will  hardly  be  over  fastidious  in 
others.  The  hght  of  history  furnishes  instruc- 
tion on  this  subject  which  ought  not  to  be  lost 
upon  us. 

If  the  view  which  has  been  taken  of  the 
subject,  even  approximates  truth,  it  ought  to 
create  no  surprise  that  there  have  been  loss  of 
confidence,  ahenation  of  feeling,  and  want  of 
concert  of  action  in  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
Her  doctrines  are  so  carefully  and  explicitly 
stated  in  her  formularies  of  faith,  and  the  pro- 
fessions and  vows  of  her  ministers  and  elders 
upon  entering  on  their  holy  offices  are  so  une- 
quivocal, that  wide  discrepancies  of  views  with 
respect  to  her  leading  doctrines  do  not  seem 
very  consistent  with  that  high  character  for 


EFFECTS    OF    CORRUPT    DOCTRINE.  171 

truth  and  piety  which  such  professions  and 
vows  imply,  especially  if  departures  are  con- 
nected with  want  of  candour  and  openness, 
and  a  seeming  design  to  change  what  we  have 
professed  to  believe  as  true  and  important,  and 
promised  to  teach  and  uphold. 

Men  are  undoubtedly  entitled  to  believe  and 
teach  such  doctrines  as  they  please,  under  their 
high  responsibility  to  God.  But  no  man  has  a 
right  to  profess  one  thing,  and  believe  and 
teach  another.  And  if  he  does  so,  he  has  no 
right  to  ask  our  respect  and  confidence.  I  am 
very  far  from  believing  that  a  man  may  not  be 
entitled  to  my  respect  and  confidence  as  an 
honest,  conscientious,  and  pious  man,  w^ho  dif- 
fers from  me  even  in  important  things — but  I 
could  award  him  neither,  if  he  professed  the 
same  things  with  me,  and  at  the  same  time 
gave  me  reason  to  believe  that  his  professions 
and  real  belief  were  at  utter  disagreement. 
You  have  in  this  the  reason  of  those  wide  and 
mournful  alienations  which  have  distracted  and 
well  nigh  destroyed  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  w^hy  its  various  parts  have  lacked  that 
concert  in  action  which  should  have  distin- 
guished her,  and  would  have  made  her,  "  clear 
as  the  sun,  fair  as  the  moon,  and  terrible  as  an 
army  with  banners."  That  high  responsibility 
and  heavy  blame  attaches  somewhere,  can  be 


172  LECTURE     VII. 

neither  denied,  nor  disguised.  That  those  who 
conscientiously  beheve  and  maintain  her  stan- 
dards, have  uniformly  exercised  and  cherished 
right  feelings,  and  contended  for,  as  well  as 
taught  the  truth  in  a  right  manner,  and  with  a 
right  spirit,  I  dare  not  assert.  But  I  do  aver, 
that  the  burden  of  this  rests,  and  imtst  rest, 
upon  those  who  have  departed  from  the  plain- 
ness and  simplicity  of  the  faith  of  our  common 
profession,  and  that  they  can  heal  our  breaches 
and  divisions  by  returning  to  the  faith  they 
have  professed.  Then  all  hearts  would  open 
to  receive  them — and  we  should  go  forth  to- 
gether, under  the  banner  of  our  Saviour's  love, 
to  the  conquest  of  the  world.  Then  would 
this  dark  and  lurid  sign  of  the  times  be  ex- 
changed for  "  the  bow  of  promise,"  God's  sign 
of  peace  to  a  ruined  Avorld.  The  truth,  how- 
ever, as  embodied  in  our  standards,  we  cannot 
give  up,  for,  "  we  have  opened  our  mouths  unto 
the  Lord,  and  therefore  cannot  go  back." 

2d.  Another  effect  resulting  from  corruption 
of  doctrine  has  been,  "  A  too  great  rehance 
upon  instruments  to  the  neglect  of  God."  No 
principle  can  be  better  established  than,  that 
however  wisely  the  Divine  instrumentalities  are 
arranged  for  the  accomplishment  of  their  ob- 
jects, that  still  their  efficiency  depends  entirely 
on  God — just  as  a  set  of  tools  may  be  well  fit- 


EFFECTS    OF    CORRUPT    DOCTRINE.  173 

ted  for  the  construction  of  a  work  of  art,  yet 
they  will  accomplish  nothing  without  the  hand 
and  mind  of  the  artist.  This  has  been  amply 
acknowledged,  by  the  wisest  and  best  of  God's 
servants.  Says  Paul,  to  the  Corinthians,  "I 
have  planted,  Apollos  watered ;  but  God  gave 
the  increase."  And  again,  he  saith  of  all  the 
gifts  and  graces  which  adorn  the  Christian 
character,  "All  these  worketh  that  one  and 
the  self-same  spirit,  dividing  to  every  man 
severally  as  he  will."  The  illustration  is  found 
in  the  conversion  of  Lydia,  which  must  be  the 
same  in  all  other  cases.  She  heard  Paul  and 
Silas,  and  became  a  sincere  convert  to  the 
Christian  faith.  And  although  there  were  a 
number  of  others  present  who  heard  the  same 
instruction,  she  alone  was  thus  affected:  and 
so  it  has  been  on  a  thousand  other  occasions. 
What  made  the  difference  in  her  case?  The 
divine  record  informs  us — "Whose  heart  the 
Lord  opened,  that  she  attended  unto  the  things 
which  were  spoken  of  Paul."  This  looks  very 
like  a  work^of  the  Holy  Spirit  on  the  heart  of 
the  poor  sinner,  or,  what  our  brethren  call, 
"physical  regeneration."  And  this,  we  sup- 
pose, takes  place  in  the  conversion  of  every 
sinner. 

The  necessity  of  this  is  laid  in  the  natural 
condition  of  our  race.    We  are  described  in 

15* 


174  LECTURE    VII. 

the  Word  of  God,  not  only  as  "blind"  and 
"deaf,"  but,  as  "dead  in  trespasses  and  sins;" 
a  state  of  not  only  deplorable  wretchedness, 
but  of  entire  helplessness,  from  which  nothing 
but  the  supernatural  agency  and  almighty  en- 
ergy of  the  Holy  Spirit  can  relieve  us.  Our 
brethren  tell  us,  no — it  requires  nothing  more 
than  a  little  skill  on  the  part  of  the  preacher  in 
presenting  and  urging  motives,  or,  what  is 
technically  called,  "moral  suasion,"  and  the 
work  is  done,  provided  the  sinner  at  the  proper 
time  make  the  right  choice,  and  put  forth  a 
vigorous  effort  of  his  will,  which  he  can  do 
with  the  same  facility  that  he  can  determine  to 
go  to  New  York  rather  than  to  Baltimore. 
Otherwise,  say  they,  man  is  not  a  moral  agent, 
for  that  implies,  "the  power  of  a  contrary 
choice."  that  is  to  say,  although  a  man  may 
have  ten  thousand  reasons  or  motives  to  seek 
the  salvation  of  his  soul,  and  not  one  to  ne- 
glect it,  he  cannot  be  a  moral  agent,  unless  he 
have  the  power  of  determining  to  be  damned 
without  any  motive  at  all.  Or,  in  other  words, 
that  a  man  sins  because  he  luill  sin,  and  not 
because  he  is  enticed  by  his  lusts. 

It  having  been  thus  summarily  settled,  that 
man  is  not  totally  depraved,  or,  according  to 
the  teachings  of  the  Scriptures,  "  dead  in  tres- 
passes and  sins,"  the  peculiar  office  and  work 


EFFECTS    OF   CORRUPT    DOCTRINE.  175 

of  the  Holy  Spirit  are  superseded,  and  men  are 
prepared  to  rely  upon  the  inventions  and  skilful 
efforts  of  their  fellow  creatures,  to  bring  them 
out  of  nature's  darkness  into  the  glorious  light 
and  hberty  of  the  children  of  God.  Hence, 
men  talk  familiarly  of  getting  up  revivals  of 
religion,  the  whole  secret  of  which  consists  in 
getting  together  a  few  ministers  of  tJie  right 
stamps  preaching  to  the  people  a  few  days,  con- 
cerning moral  agency  and  their  ability  to 
change  their  own  hearts,  getting  their  minds 
excited  on  the  subject  by  continued  effort,  com- 
mitting them  by  coming  to  the  anxious-seat, 
and  determining  to  be  religious,  while,  at  the 
same  time,  you  hear  little  or  nothing  concern- 
ing their  sinful,  guilty,  and  undone  condition, 
repentance,  faith,  the  doings  and  sufferings  of 
the  Saviour,  the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  con- 
fession of  sin,  the  distinguishing  nature  of  reli- 
gious exercises,  the  nature  and  necessity  of 
self-examination,  the  deceitfulness  and  wicked- 
ness of  the  human  heart,  the  calls  and  invita- 
tions of  the  Gospel,  the  moral  resemblance  of 
the  Christian  to  his  Master,  Christ,  and  the 
peculiar  characteristics  of  the  Christian  life. 
Nearly  all  of  these  would  be  thought  out  of 
place,  and  so  would  almost  all  the  distinguish- 
ing doctrines  of  our  holy  religion;  and  the 
minister  who  should  bring  forward  such  topics, 


176  LECTURE    VII. 

would  not  be  welcome  on  such  occasions.  He 
would  be  accused  of  marring  the  work,  and 
hindering  its  progress.  Every  thing  which 
looks  like  an  exhibition  of  human  nature,  as  it 
is  described  in  the  Scriptures,  or  the  peculiar 
agency  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  the  conversion  of 
sinners,  or  dependence  upon  his  influences, 
must  be  kept  as  far  out  of  sight  as  possible, 
lest  sinners  should  remit  their  own  exertions. 
Why  are  these  things  so,  if  men  have  not  lost 
sight  of  their  dependence  on  God,  and  rely 
upon  an  arm  of  flesh?  Why,  if  he  be  the  effi- 
cient agent  in  the  conversion  of  sinners,  are 
not  men  referred  to  God  for  the  bestowment  of 
this  unspeakable  gift,  since  he  has  said,  "If  ye 
then,  being  evil,  know  how  to  give  good  gifts 
to  your  children,  how  much  more  will  your 
heavenly  Father  give  the  Holy  Spirit  to  them 
that  ask  him?"  Why  are  men  afraid  to  deal 
in  such  encouraging  truths,  if  they  have  not 
rejected  them?  In  apostolical  days  it  was  not 
so.  Then,  they  could  exhort  men  to  "work 
out  their  own  salvation  with  fear  and  trem- 
bling," by  the  consideration,  that  it  was  God 
who  works  in  them,  both  to  will  and  to  do  of 
his  good  pleasure."  Can  it  be  otherwise,  un- 
der such  instruction,  than  that  men  should  rely, 
either  upon  the  stern  determination  of  their 
own  wills,  or  the  persuasive  skill  and  power  of 


EFFECTS   OF    CORRUPT    DOCTRINE.  177 

Others  to  produce  that  stupendous  change 
which  is  denominated,  "regeneration?"  How 
can  they  fail  to  entertain  such  sentiments, 
when  they  are  continually  sounded  in  their 
ears?  And  if  it  be  true,  that  our  religion 
takes  its  type  from  the  instruction  which  we 
receive,  then  it  will  follow,  that  the  religion 
thus  induced  will  stand,  not  in  the  power  of 
God,  but  in  the  wisdom  of  men.  Who,  then, 
can  be  surprised,  that  it  should  prove  as  the 
morning  cloud  and  the  early  dew?  of  which, 
the  present  day  furnishes  such  numerous  and 
melancholy  illustrations. 

Do  you  fear  that  I  would  make  man  a  mere 
stock,  and  take  away  his  moral  responsibili- 
ties?— that  I  would  furnish  him  with  a  warrant 
to  stand  still,  and  fold  his  hands  to  sleep?  Far 
from  it,  my  hearers.  Does  it  indulge  a  man  in 
idleness,  to  exhort  him  to  "  work  out  his  own 
salvation  with  fear  and  trembhng,"  and  en- 
courage him  to  do  so  by  the  consideration, 
that  "  it  is  God  who  works  in  him,  both  to  will 
and  to  do  of  his  good  pleasure,"  especially 
when  it  is  connected  with  faithful  exhibitions  of 
the  danger  he  incurs  by  every  hour's  delay. 
Is  it  a  discouragement  to  be  informed,  of  his 
entire  helplessness  and  dependence,  when  he  is 
at  the  same  time  told,  that  God  is  more  wilhng 
to  give  his  Holy  Spirit  to  them  that  ask  him 


178  LECTURE    VII. 

than  parents  are  to  give  bread  to  their  hungry 
children?  It  may  mortify  their  pride,  but,  in 
itself,  it  is  the  greatest  encouragement  we  can 
possibly  have,  for  it  assures  us  of  an  influence 
which  nothing  is  able  to  resist.  It  is  a  vile 
slander,  which  is  cast  upon  men,  who,  while 
they  honour  the  grace  of  God  in  the  conver- 
sion of  sinners,  and  follow  the  direction  of  hi& 
Word,  and  the  example  of  his  inspired  ser- 
vants, in  exhibiting  the  tvhole  truth,  exhort,  and 
urge  their  fellow  creatures  with  as  much  aflfec- 
tion  and  force  as  others,  to  "  strive  to  enter  in 
at  the  straight  gate."  From  dependence  on 
instruments,  to  the  neglect  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
of  whom,  and  his  influences,  little  is  heard  in 
the  preaching  or  prayers  of  these  men,  has  re- 
sulted, 

3d.  To  no  inconsiderable  extent,  the  with- 
drawal of  the  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
from  the  Church.  The  fact,  that  those  divine 
influences  with  which  the  Church  was  blessed 
a  few  years  ago,  and  which  caused  so  much 
joy  among  the  people  of  God,  have,  to  a  great 
extent,  ceased,  admits  of  no  dispute.  Mourn- 
ful as  the  fact  is,  it  cannot  be  denied.  That 
there  must  be  a  cause  for  it,  admits  of  no 
doubt.  Nor  can  w^e  hesitate  in  believing,  that 
the  cause  must  be  sought  in  the  Church.  It 
has  been  attributed  to  the  disputes  and  divi- 


EFFECTS    OF   CORRUPT   DOCTRINE.  179 

sions  which  have  existed  in  tlie  Church. 
These  have  not  only  occupied  the  attention  of 
multitudes,  to  the  neglect  of  many  Christian 
duties,  but,  from  the  evil  influence  which  they 
have  exerted  on  the  hearts  of  Christians,  have 
unfitted  them  rightly  to  desire  and  seek  the 
outpouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Under  these 
circumstances,  a  healthful  influence  from  hea- 
ven could  not  have  been  expected.  For  this,  a 
dreadful  responsibility  rests  upon  all  who  have 
indulged  those  tempers,  by  which  the  Holy 
Spirit  has  been  grieved,  and  especially  upon 
those  by  whom  the  offence  has  come.  "  Woe 
to  that  man  by  whom  the  offence  cometh." 
The  whole  Church  has  reason  to  be  humbled 
in  the  very  dust  before  God  on  this  account. 
Who  is  free  from  this  sin  ?  Who  has  no  rea- 
son to  mourn  ?  Who  can  fail  to  see  in  this 
one  reason  why  the  Lord  has  withdrawn  the 
influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit? 

But  this  is  not  the  only  reason.  There  has 
been,  among  those  who  hold  the  truth  in  right- 
eousness, a  sinking  of  the  heart,  which  has  en- 
feebled and  crippled  them  in  prayer  and  exer- 
tion, so  that  they  have  been  afraid  to  stretch 
their  desires  abroad,  and  use  with  the  Lord 
that  holy  boldness  and  importunity  in  which  he 
dehghts,  and  which  has  so  often  drawn  down 
blessings   from  on  high.      And    then    again, 


180  LECTURE    VII. 

when  they  have  heard  doctrines  preached,  and 
seen  practices  pursued,  which  they  deemed 
contrary  to  the  word  of  God,  and  yet  saw  ef- 
fects wrought  which  appeared  to  indicate  the 
presence  and  power  of  God,  they  have  some- 
times, without  due  consideration,  been  carried 
away  by  the  current,'  disregarding  truth  and 
order,  thus  grieving  the  Holy  Spirit.  Or,  they 
have  stood  still,  made  no  exertion,  and  re- 
ceived the  reward  of  idleness.  Or,  they  have 
refrained  bearing  witness  for  the  truth,  for  fear 
of  being  found  fighting  against  God,  who 
seemed  to  bless  what  appeared  to  them  to  be 
error,  the  fruit  not  having  yet  developed  itself. 
Thus  they  have  been  paralysed,  bothMn  heart 
and  action,  to  an  extent  from  which  they  have 
not  yet  recovered  themselves.  Their  perplexi- 
ties have  been  increased  by  the  taunts  of  er- 
rorists,  who  have  accused  them  of  holding  sen- 
timents which  precluded  the  use  of  means  for 
the  promotion  of  revivals  and  godliness,  and 
which  they  declared  to  be  hostile  to  both,  until 
they  almost  believed  the  slander,  and  were 
afraid  to  bestir  themselves.  They  well  nigh 
became  what  they  were  slanderously  reported 
to  be.  Thanks  be  to  God,  this  delusion  is  be- 
ginning to  vanish  away,  and  a  day  appears  to 
be  dawning,  when  the  lovers  of  truth  and  order 
shall  shake  off  this  benumbing  lethargy,  and  do 


EFFECTS    OF    CORRUPT    DOCTRINE.  181 

their  duty  to  God  and  the  world.  Then  it  will 
be  fully  manifest,  whether  truth  and  error  are 
equally  conducive  to  revivals  of  pure  and  un- 
defiled  religion ;  and  it  will  cease  to  be  difficult 
to  distinguish  between  the  precious  and  the 
vile — between  truth  and  error — between  the 
will  of  God,  and  the  inventions  of  men. 

I  advert  to  only  one  reason  more,  why  the 
influences  of  the  Spirit  have  to  so  great  a  de- 
gree been  withdrawn  from  the  Church.  I  al- 
lude to  the  fact,  that  they  have,  to  a  very 
great  extent,  been  undervalued,  and  almost  su- 
perseded by  the  inventions  of  men.  I  have  al- 
ready remarked,  that  but  httle  is  heard  of  the 
influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  either  in  the 
preaching  or  prayers  of  some  of  the  ministers 
of  that  Saviour,  who  said  to  the  disciples,  "  Be- 
hold, I  send  the  promise  of  my  Father  upon 
you ;  but  tarry  ye  in  the  city  of  Jerusalem,  un- 
til ye  be  endued  with  power  from  on  high." 
And  they  did  tarry  till  they  received  the  Penti- 
costal  anointing,  and  then  went  forth  to  the 
conquest  of  the  world.  This  great  truth,  how- 
ever, seems  to  be  as  studiously  avoided  by 
many  as  if  they  felt  afraid  to  let  the  people 
know  that  there  is  such  a  being  as  the  Holy 
Spirit,  or  that  men  needed  him  to  regenerate, 
enlighten,  comfort,  and  sanctify  their  souls; 
probably  because  they  have  imbibed  the  senti- 

16 


182  L  E  CTUR  E    VII. 

ments,  that  men  are  not  "  dead  in  trespasses 
and  sins" — are  not  totally  depraved — can  as 
easily  change  their  hearts  as  their  garments — 
have  need  only  to  have  the  truth  rightly  pre- 
sented to  their  minds  in  order  to  love,  choose, 
and  obey  it ;  that,  if  these  things  are  not  so, 
then  man  is  no  moral  agent,  possesses  all  the 
power  necessary  to  accomplish  all  the  pur- 
poses of  his  salvation,  and  if  it  were  otherwise, 
then  would  God  be  a  try  rant  to  require  him  to 
obey,  and  unjust  to  punish  him. 

If  such  sentiments  are  correct,  then  truly 
have  we  no  need  of  the  influences  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  and  men  do  right  to  repudiate  him. 
But,  if  they  be  as  false  as  the  Bible  teaches 
them  to  be,  then  let  no  man  wonder  why, 
where  they  are  taught,  the  Holy  Spirit, 
quenched  and  grieved,  should  withdraw  him- 
self from  them,  and  leave  them  to  the  ineffi- 
ciency of  their  own  inventions.  May  not  this 
be  had  in  view  in  such  a  declaration  as  this,  "I 
will  go  and  return  to  my  place,  till  they  ac- 
knowledge their  offence,  and  seek  my  face." 
Is  there  not  a  sufficient  reason  in  all  this  for 
the  withdrawal  of  the  Holy  Spirit  from  those 
who  thus  treat  him?  Does  not  this  satisfac- 
torily account  for  the  dearth  and  barrenness 
which  exist  to  so  great  and  lamentable  an  ex- 
tent in  the  Church  at  the  present  day  ?     And 


EFFECTS  OF  CORRUPT  DOCTRINE.     183 

will  there  ever  be  a  change  for  the  better  till 
men  shall  say  to  each  other,  "  Come,  and  let 
us  return  unto  the  Lord ;  for  he  hath  torn,  and 
he  will  heal  us :  he  hath  smitten,  and  he  will 
bind  us  up." 

From  this  subject  we  may  learn, 

1st.  That  departures  from  the  truth  and  or- 
der of  God's  house  are  both  sinful  and  danger- 
ous. The  essential  truths,  or  doctrines,  of  the 
Christian  religion  are  so  fully  and  clearly 
stated  in  the  Scriptures  as  to  make  their  obvi- 
ous meaning  easily  understood;  and,  in  fact, 
the  difficulties  of  men  with  respect  to  them 
have  commenced  with  attempts  at  reconciling 
them  with  sentiments  previously  imbibed.  In 
these  attempts,  if  they  have  not  been  possessed 
with  a  high  reverence  for  the  word  of  God, 
their  fondness  of  their  own  mental  views  has 
led  them  so  to  interpret  the  holy  oracles  as  to 
bring  them,  as  nearly  as  possible,  into  harmony 
with  these.  Successful  attempts  have  led  them 
to  make  new  experiments,  until  at  length  they 
have  elaborated  a  new  gospel,  bearing  very 
few  of  the  characteristics  of  that  Gospel,  which 
plain  common  sense  and  humble  piety  would 
recognise  from  a  perusal  of  the  sacred  pages. 
Whether  this  can  innocently  take  place,  is  a 
grave  question,  which  men  should  scrupulously 


184  LECTURE    VII. 

ponder.  It  is,  at  all  events,  very  certain,  that 
no  man  can  proceed  either  far  or  long  in  such 
a  course,  and  maintain  a  becoming  reverence 
for  the  word  of  God,  or  fail  of  having  his 
heart  perverted  by  error.  And  the  danger  is 
greatly  increased  if  they  have  previously  sub- 
scribed to  a  system  of  doctrine,  for  they  are 
obliged  to  tamper  with,  or  pollute  their  consci- 
ences at  the  start.  They  may,  in  this  case, 
have  been  innocently  convinced  that  they  have 
adopted  a  system  which  they  do  not  now  be- 
lieve ;  but  they  cannot  innocently  continue  in 
the  profession  of  a  system  the  essentials  of 
which  they  have  repudiated,  or  the  connexion 
in  which  it  has  placed  them. 

Nor  will  the  sin  of  such  a  course  be  dimin- 
ished when  we  look  at  the  distrust,  alienations, 
bickerings,  and  contentions  which,  almost  ne- 
cessarily, grow  out  of  such  a  state  of  things. 
Who  can  have  confidence  in  a  man  who  dis- 
regards his  own  solemn  professions  ?  Or,  who 
can  rely  upon  one  who  is  as  unstable  as  water  ? 
Can  it  be  innocent  to  destroy  "  the  unity  of  the 
Spirit,"  and  rupture  "  the  bonds  of  peace"  in  a 
Church  ?  What  becomes  of  the  beauty  and 
order  of  God's  house  ?  the  edification  of  the 
body  of  Christ  ?  the  salvation  of  souls  ?  What 
must  it  lead  the  world  to  think  of  religion 
itself?     Let  the  history  and  state  of  our  own 


EFFECTS    OF    CORRUPT    DOCTRINE.  185 

beloved  portion  of  Zion,  so  long  and  greatly 
favoured  of  God,  answer  these  questions,  and 
let  the  churches  and  ministers  of  God  ponder 
them  in  their  hearts,  and  learn  wisdom  from 
past  folly  and  sin.  Let  them  look  at  the  deso- 
lations which  have  been  made,  and,  if  they 
have  any  sympathy  with  mourning,  bleeding 
Zion,  let  them  cry  with  their  whole  heart,  "  O 
that  my  head  were  waters,  and  mine  eyes  a 
fountain  of  tears,  that  I  might  weep  day  and 
night  for  the  slain  of  the  daughter  of  my  peo- 
ple." 

2d.  This  subject  should  teach  churches  and 
ministers  the  importance  of  guarding  against 
the  first  departures  from  the  doctrines  of  our 
holy  religion  as  they  are  taught  in  the  Scrip- 
tures, and  embodied  in  the  public  and  au- 
thorized standards,  even  though  they  may  seem 
small  and  unimportant.  Error  is  not  ordina- 
rily of  mushroom  growth.  It  is  commonly 
produced  by  little  and  little.  Aberrations  com- 
mence in  shades  of  difference.  They  relate 
perhaps  to  articles  which  are  esteemed  of 
minor  importance.  They  do  not  aflfect  the 
vitals  of  religion.  They  may  be  commenced 
by  good  and  useful  men,  and  it  would  wound 
their  feelings  and  hinder  their  usefulness,  were 
you  to  admonish  them  or  call  them  to  an  ac* 
count.     Meek-eyed  charity  cries,  "  Is  it  not  a 

16* 


186  LECTUREVII. 

little  city  ?"  "  Behold  how  great  a  matter  a 
little  fire  kindleth."  Had  Solomon's  advice 
been  followed,  what  a  world  of  difficulty  and 
sin  would  have  been  prevented.  "  Take  us  the 
foxes,  the  little  foxes,  that  spoil  the  vines." 
This  good  and  useful  man  may  have  an  in- 
quisitive and  speculative  mind.  He  has  gotten 
into  a  world  of  pleasing  novelties.  He  passes 
on  from  trifling  to  more  grave  and  weighty 
matters,  and  his  changes  still  please  him.  He 
has,  by  modification,  made  the  gospel  more 
palatable  to  some  mind  which  had  before  been 
embarassed  by  some  of  the  aspects  and  rela- 
tions of  truth.  It  may  be  that  his  labours 
have  been  apparently,  perhaps  really,  blessed 
to  many.  What  follows  ?  He  becomes  given 
to  change.  His  mind  is  unsettled  and  restless. 
He  tries  his  experiments  on  the  weightier  mat- 
ters of  the  law  with  equal  success  and  satisfac- 
tion to  himself,  until  the  very  landmarks  of 
truth  vanish  from  his  vision,  and  he  is  afloat 
on  a  boundless  ocean  without  chart  or  com- 
pass. He  attributes  his  success  to  his  novel- 
ties, and  exalts  them  above  the  clear  dictates 
of  the  Spirit.  Others  become  captivated  by 
his  imaginations.  A  party  is  formed.  The 
strife  commences.  The  Church  is  agitated, 
distracted,  torn,  divided  : — and  the  Holy  Spirit, 
grieved  by  such  a  state  of  things,  takes   his 


EFFECTS    OF    CORRUPT    DOCTRINE.  187 

flight  to  heaven.  And  should  the  leaven  begin 
to  operate  in  an  age  like  the  present,  when  the 
foundations  of  ages  are  torn  up,  and  the  human 
mind  is  loosed  from  its  moorings,  it  will  be  a 
wonder,  if  the  grace  of  God  prevent  not,  if  the 
waters  of  this  flood  do  not  rise  above  the  tops 
of  the  highest  mountains.  This,  however  is 
our  consolation.  The  ark  of  God  is  safe. 
But,  O,  what  a  mass  of  evil  might  have  been 
prevented,  if  even  a  few  minds  had  been  pos- 
sessed of  a  little  more  modesty,  humility,  self- 
distrust,  or  wisdom  !  Or,  if  the  Church  of  God 
had  taken  timely  precaution  to  correct  the  evil ! 
Has  not  the  Lord  rebuked  and  punished  her 
for  her  want  of  watchfulness  and  faithfulness, 
and  grasping  ambition  to  spread  herself  out 
"  like  a  green  bay  tree,"  and  foolish  confidence 
in  her  own  power  and  strength?  Let  us  re- 
ceive the  divine  rebuke  with  meekness  and 
humility,  and  watch  and  pray  that  we  fall  not 
again  into  this  temptation ! 

3d.  Finally :  Let  us  acknowledge  our  sin 
before  God,  forsake  the  evil  of  our  ways,  real- 
ize our  dependence  upon  God  for  the  success 
of  all  our  eflforts  to  build  up  his  kingdom,  and 
with  deep  humility  of  soul,  and  much  fervency 
and  importunity  of  prayer,  seek  the  return  of 
the  blessed  Comforter,  the  Holy  Ghost,  to  the 
Church,  from  which  we  have  grieved  him  away 


188  LECTURE     VII. 

by  our  sins.  Let  us  say  again  to  each  other,  in 
the  language  and  spirit  of  the  prophet,  "come, 
and  let  us  return  unto  the  Lord ;  for  he  hath 
torn,  and  he  will  heal  us ;  he  hath  smitten  and 
he  will  bind  us  up."  Such  a  withdrawal  of  di- 
vine influences  as  the  Presbyterian  body  has 
experienced  is  not  to  be  accounted  for  indepen- 
dently of  sin ;  "  sin  lieth  at  the  door."  If  error 
be  sinful,  we  have  tolerated  it.  Or  if  we  have 
contended  for  the  truth,  have  we  always  done 
so  in  a  Christian  spirit,  and  with  spiritual  Avea- 
pons  ?  Have  w^e  not  been  so  proud,  and  vain- 
glorious of  the  success  and  enlargement  which 
God  hath  given  us  as  to  "  forget  the  rock  from 
whence  we  were  hewn,  and  the  hole  of  the  pit 
from  which  w^e  were  digged,"  and  with  it,  our 
dependence  upon  God?  And  in  consequence 
of  this,  has  not  prayer  been  restrained  ?  And 
then  again  God  has  been  dishonoured,  and  the 
Holy  Spirit  grieved,  as  well  by  unscriptural 
compliances  for  the  promotion  of  revivals, 
as  by  a  sinking  of  the  heart,  which  denoted 
w^ant  of  confidence  in  God  and  in  his  truth  to 
promote  his  glory  in  the  salvation  of  sinners. 
These  are  so  many  causes  for  deep  self-abase- 
ment and  humiliation  before  God,  and  repent- 
ance for  our  sins;  as  well  as  reasons  for  re- 
turning to  him  with  mourning,  and  weeping, 
and  lamentation.     Let  this  be  our  prayer:   "O 


EFFECTS    OF    CORRUPT    DOCTRINE.  189 

that  thou  wouldst  rend  the  heavens,  that  thou 
wouldst  come  down,  that  the  mountains  might 
flow  down  at  thy  presence."  "  O  Lord,  revive 
thy  work  in  the  midst  of  the  years,  in  the 
midst  of  the  years  make  known ;  in  wrath  re- 
member mercy  ?"  And  then  the  day  will  soon 
come  when  he  will  put  a  new  song  into  our 
mouths,  and  these  shall  be  some  of  its  notes — 
"Lo,  this  is  our  God;  we  have  waited  for  him, 
and  he  will  save  us ;  this  is  the  Lord ;  we  have 
waited  for  him ;  and  we  will  be  glad  and  re- 
joice in  his  salvation."  May  sovereign  mercy 
hasten  it  in  its  season ! 


LECTURE    VIII. 

SPIRIT    OF    FANATICISM. 

MATTHEW  XVI.  III. 
CAN  YE  NOT  DISCERN  THE  SIGNS  OF  THE  TIMES. 

The  last  "  sign  of  the  times,"  to  which  your 
attention  was  directed,  w'as — The  corruption  of 
doctrine  in  the  Christian  Church,  especially  in 
our  own  branch  of  it ;  and  the  effects  of  this 
corruption:  1st.  In  alienation  of  feehng,  and 
want  of  concert  in  action.  2d.  Too  great  re- 
liance on  human  plans  and  efforts  in  building 
up  the  cause  of  Christ.  3d.  The  withdrawal 
of  the  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  without 
which  the  Church  of  God  can  neither  be  main- 
tained, enlarged,  beautified,  strengthened,  nor 
rendered  efficient.  The  course  of  investiga- 
tion showed,  conclusively,  that  these  effects 
had,  to  a  great  and  lamentable  extent,  resulted 
from  these  causes  as  their  fruits;  that  their 
influence  on  the  interests  of  religion  had 
been  very  deleterious;  that  a  great  amount 
of  blame  must  necessarily  rest  on  those,  who. 


FANATICISM.  191 

professing  a  pure  faith,  had  nevertheless  held 
and  taught  corrupt  doctrines,  and  thereby,  con- 
trary to  vows  voluntarily  taken,  and  obliga- 
tions voluntarily  contracted,  destroyed  both  the 
purity  and  peace  of  the  Church,  hindered  its 
edification,  and  paralysed  its  influence  -,  that  it 
is  the  duty  of  such  men  to  renounce  their  er- 
rors, or,  in  default  of  this,  if  they  would  act 
the  part  of  honest  men,  to  separate  themselves 
from  churches,  whose  doctrines  they  have 
either  never  believed,  or  concerning  which 
they  have  changed  their  views ;  and  finally, 
that  it  is  the  duty  of  the  Church  to  hold  fast 
the  form  of  sound  words,  guard  with  more 
sedulous  care  against  the  introduction  of  un- 
sound men  and  unsound  doctrines,  shake  oflf 
her  apathy  and  sloth,  and  do  her  duty  to  the 
world,  and  to  God. 

Having  completed  this  part  of  the  original 
plan,  designed  to  be  pursued  in  these  exercises, 
I  intend  this  evening  to  direct  your  attention 
to  another  striking  feature  of  the  age  in  which 
we  live — a  sign  which  has  left  a  deep  and 
broad  mark  upon  our  times,  and  exercised  no 
small  influence  on  the  cause  of  God,  as  w^ell  as 
on  many  other  important  interests.     I  mean, 

VII.   The  spirit  of  fanaticism. 

It  will  probably  not  be  denied,  that  there  has 
seldom,  if  ever,  been  an  age  when  the  human 


192 


LECTURE     VIII. 


mind  has  been  more  unsettled  and  restless  than 
the  present.  Principles,  which  for  ages  had 
been  thought  to  be  well  defined  and  thoroughly 
settled,  have  been  called  in  question,  and,  in 
connexion  with  it,  the  human  mind  has  re- 
ceived an  impulse  which  has  carried  it  forward 
with  a  rapidity  which  would  formerly  have 
been  contemplated  with  amazement,  and  with 
fear  for  the  consequences.  Such,  however, 
have  been  the  nature  and  extent  of  the  changes 
wrought,  that  they  are  looked  upon  as  mere 
common-place  events. 

To  what  period  to  assign  the  impulse,  of 
which  I  have  spoken,  may  not  be  an  easy  mat- 
ter— nor  may  it  be  more  easy  to  settle  the  sub- 
ject which  gave  occasion  to  it.  It  may,  how- 
ever, be  assumed  as  a  fact,  that  if  no  novel 
principles,  as  to  human  rights  and  civil  govern- 
ment, were  broached  by  the  fathers  of  our 
Revolution,  that  they  received  a  development, 
and  acquired  a  practical  importance  Avhich 
they  never  knew  before,  and  they  have,  ever 
since,  been  exercising  a  mighty  influence  on 
the  mind  of  man  and  the  civil  institutions  of 
the  world.  Previous  to  this  period,  while  his 
Holiness  of  Rome  was  reposing  on  his  downy 
cushions  in  the  Vatican,  and  resting  after  his 
long  contest  with  the  Reformers — and  the  po- 
tentates of  Europe  were  pursuing  their  schemes 


FANATICISM.  193 

of  politics  and  war,  as  if  all  the  interests  of  all 
mankind  were  involved  in  them — a  set  of  men, 
who  were,  seemingly,  quietly  devoted  to  litera- 
ture, science,  or  pleasure,  had  either  reasoned 
or  lived  themselves  into  scepticism,  now  set 
their  worldly  wisdom  in  array  against  all  es- 
tablished institutions,  and  produced  the  infi- 
dehty,  and  the  wars,  and  revolutions  which  il- 
lustrated the  latter  years  of  the  last  century, 
when,  events  enough,  civil,  intellectual,  moral, 
and  religious,  to  fill  up  ages,  were  crowded  into 
a  few  years. 

I  will  add,  and  it  has  by  no  means  been  un- 
important, or  without  its  influence,  that,  previ- 
ous to  the  middle  of  the  last  century,  true  reli- 
gion itself  has  received  an  impulse,  to  which  it 
had  for  a  long  time  been  a  stranger.  The  fer- 
vours of  the  Reformation  had  subsided;  the 
great  doctrine  of  life— justification  by  faith, 
through  the  imputed  righteousness  of  Christ, 
had  slept,  or  been  abandoned ;  and  religion  it- 
self, even  among  Protestants,  had  degenerated 
into  form,  when,  the  whole  subject  received  a 
fresh  impetus,  both  in  Great  Britain  and  Ame- 
rica, which  it  has  never  lost.  The  fruits  have 
been  seen  and  felt  in  every  part  of  the  world, 
as  they  have  developed  themselves  in  the  en- 
largement of  the  Church,  and  in  the  operation 
of  Bible,  Missionary,  Tract,  and  Education  So- 
17 


194  LECTURE    VIII. 

cieties.  An  equal  degree  of  zeal  and  activity 
for  the  propagation  of  the  Gospel,  and  the 
amelioration  of  the  condition  of  our  race,  has 
rarely  been  witnessed. 

Such  have  been  the  nature  and  extent  of  the 
changes  which  have  taken  place,  and  such  the 
spirit  of  the  age  in  which  we  live,  that  the  fond 
anticipation  has  been  indulged  that  the  latter 
day  glory  had  already  arrived,  and  the  subjec- 
tion of  the  world  to  the  cross  of  Christ  would 
scarcely  require  a  struggle.  It  requires  not 
the  ken  of  a  prophet  to  tell  that  these  antici- 
pations are  doomed  to  disappointment.  The 
anticipations  of  men  have  been  as  extreme  as 
their  principles  and  practices — and  this  has 
been  one  of  the  species  of  tares  which  the  ad- 
versary has  sown  in  this  field,  otherwise  so  pro- 
mising. The  age  in  which  we  live  is  one  of 
extremes.  It  has  proved  ultra  or  fanatical  in 
almost  every  thing.  The  impulse  has  carried 
men  beyond  the  mark.  Every  thing  of  which 
they  have  taken  hold  has  been  magnified  be- 
yond its  just  proportions,  if  not  beyond  its 
true  dimensions,  and  thus  received  an  impor- 
tance to  which  it  was  not  entitled.  The  mind 
has  dwelt  intently  on  a  single  object,  or  it  has 
brought  that  object  so  near  to  the  eye,  that  it 
has  appeared  to  be  single  and  alone  in  the 
world.     Whereas,  if  it  had  been  placed  in  an- 


FANATICISM.  195 

Other  position,  and  at  a  little  greater  distance 
from  the  eye,  its  true  as  well  as  relative  magni- 
tude could  be  better  ascertained  and  deter- 
mined ;  but  then,  if  the  mind  had  been  labour- 
ing under  a  fond  delusion  with  respect  to  it,  it 
it  would  create  a  degree  of  pain  to  be  unde- 
ceived. My  hearers  would  think  me  in  ex- 
tremes, if  not  in  the  extreme  of  madness,  if  I 
should  tell  them  that  the  sun,  the  great  orb  of 
day,  was  not  as  large  as  a  half  dollar— and  yet 
I  can  so  place  that  httle  object  as  to  hide  the 
sun  from  my  view.  And  so  a  matter,  which, 
when  viewed  in  its  just  proportions  and  rela- 
tions, shall  be  seen  and  felt  to  be  of  much  less 
importance  than  another  with  which  it  may  be 
compared,  may  become  absorbing  as  the  one 
thing  needful  when  it  is  not  only  seen  alone, 
but  dwelt  upon,  commended  and  magnified. 
This  I  consider  as  a  distinguishing  character- 
istic of  our  age,  and  this  I  call  fanaticism,  and 
this  I  design  more  fully  to  illustrate  in  the  re- 
mainder of  this  discourse.  I  have  already  in- 
timated that  there  is  scarcely  a  department  of 
business  or  life  into  which  the  spirit  of  excess 
has  not  been  carried,  and  where  its  influence 
has  not  been  felt. 

It  has  manifested  itself  in  the  various  de- 
partments of  business.  These  have  been  pur- 
sued, not  for   the   purpose  of  affording   men 


196  LECTURE     VIII. 

healthful  employment,  and  a  decent  living,  but 
for  the  purpose  of  accumulating  wealth ;  and 
when  the  movement  has  not  been  a  rapid  one, 
it  has  been  attended  with  an  uneasy,  restless, 
discontented  spirit,  which  has  watched  every 
opportunity  of  change,  and  rushed  after  every 
gilded  phantom  which  a  wild  imagination  has 
raised  up  before  the  mind.  Men  have  not  only 
grown  impatient  of  the  slow  avails  of  honest, 
persevering  industry,  and  dissatisfied  with  the 
prospect  of  a  well  earned  competence,  enough 
to  satisfy  a  well  balanced  and  contented  mind, 
but  they  have  gathered  up  all,  and  embarked 
it  on  the  tempestuous  ocean  of  speculation. 
Nothing  would  serve  them  but  to  be  suddenly 
rich.  Of  the  dangers  of  failure,  or  the  ship- 
wreck of  conscience,  they  have  made  no  more 
account  than  they  have  of  the  effect  it  would 
be  hkely  to  produce  on  their  minds  in  unfitting 
them  for  sober  business,  or  rational  enjoyment, 
or  on  the  character,  comfort,  and  prospects 
of  their  families,  or  on  the  fortunes  of  those 
with  whom  business  may  have  connected  them. 
Such  things  as  these  are  scarcely  worthy  of  a 
thought  in  the  "  nineteenth  century,"  and  unne- 
cessary clogs  to  "the  march  of  mind."  The 
man  has  made  up  his  mind  to  be  rich,  and  sud- 
denly^ rich,  and  if  ninety-nine  out  of  every 
hundred  who  have  made  the  attempt  upon  the 


FANATICISM.  197 

same  principle,  have  failed,  you  cannot  con- 
vince him  that  he  will  not  be  the  hundredth 
man  in  the  next  class  of  adventurers.  And  if 
an  equal  proportion  have  made  shipwreck  of 
faith  and  a  good  conscience  in  making  the  at- 
tempt, it  would  be  no  easy  matter  to  convince 
him  that  it  is  a  difficult  thing  for  a  rich  man  to 
enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  or  for  a  man 
whose  mind  has  been  soured  and  corroded  by 
worldly  losses  and  disappointments  to  turn  his 
attention  at  once,  and  with  interest,  to  the  sub- 
ject of  religion.  A  divine  oracle  would  fail  to 
work  the  conviction  in  him.  This  is  the  spirit 
of  our  age,  the  spirit  of  our  American  youth — 
the  Moloch  upon  whose  altar  so  many  precious 
souls  are  sacrificed.  This,  a  year  or  two  ago, 
filled  the  United  States  Treasury  to  overflow- 
ing from  the  sales  of  our  western  lands — built 
so  many  cities  in  the  wilderness,  on  paper- 
fattened  the  soil  of  Louisiana  with  the  dead 
bodies  of  the  prime  young  men  of  our  coun- 
try, and  which  God  has  recently  so  terribly  re- 
buked. Is  it  misnamed,  "the  fanaticism  of 
cupidity  ?" 

The  spirit  has  other  forms,  and  other  names. 
It  is  a  universal  intermeddler.  It  will  let  no- 
thing alone.  Nothing  good  or  holy  can  engage 
the  attention  of  men,  but  it  rushes  in,  and  en- 
deavours to  appropriate  it  to  itself.  It  is  not 
17* 


198  LECTUREVIIl. 

many  years  since  a  moral  leprosy  came  to  the 
aid  of  original  sin,  and  threatened  an  almost 
universal  destruction.  It  was  at  deadly  strife 
with  property,  health,  all  the  comforts  of  domes- 
tic life,  all  the  hallowed  influences  of  the  social 
principle  and  relations,  human  life,  and  the  sal- 
vation of  mens'  souls.  It  was  fast  peopling  the 
grave  and  hell  with  its  victims.  It  was  rapidly 
extending  the  circle  of  its  deadly  influence. 
The  rich  and  the  poor,  the  high  and  the  low, 
the  old  and  the  young,  were  its  victims.  The 
farmer  and  the  mechanic,  the  young  man  and 
the  maiden,  the  husband  and  the  wife,  the  pa- 
rent and  the  child,  the  statesman,  the  lawyer, 
the  physician,  the  Christian,  the  deacon,  the 
elder,  the  minister  of  the  everlasting  Gospel, 
all,  all,  were  among  its  victims.  It  acted  as  a 
slow  poison.  It  was  an  insidious  enemy.  It 
often  came  as  an  angel  of  light,  a  minister  of 
health,  a  handmaid  of  hospitality.  And  the 
malady  was  the  more  deadly,  because  it  well 
nigh  paralysed  the  medicine  of  life,  the  Gospel 
of  the  grace  of  God. 

Philosophers,  physicians,  philanthropists,  pa- 
triots. Christians,  ministers  of  the  everlasting 
Gospel,  all  mourned  over  the  wide  spreading 
evil,  and  mourned  almost  without  hope.  It  was 
the  sin  of  intemperance.  This  was  the  name 
of  the  foul  fiend.     A  simple  remedy  was  ap- 


FANATICISM.  199 

plied.  The  union  of  the  friends  of  man  in  a 
pubhc  pledge  to  abstain  from  alcoholic  drinks. 
Blessed  be  the  man  into  whose  mind  the  happy 
thought  first  entered.  His  race  have  known 
few  greater  benefactors.  In  this,  as  in  every 
thing  else,  union  creates  strength.  O,  what 
wonders  has  the  development  of  this  principle 
wrought;  what  happy  changes  have  we  wit- 
nessed; what  victories  over  beastly  and  soul 
destroying  appetites.  But  the  arch  fiend  en- 
vied man,  and  grace,  and  God,  such  a  victory — 
and  flew  to  the  rescue,  and  sowed  dissension  in 
the  camp,  and  sought  to  sever  from  the  brother- 
hood its  best  friends,  upon  whom,  under  God, 
its  dearest  hopes  will  be  found  to  rest.  I  mean 
the  covenanted  friends  of  Christ.  But  how? 
By  seeking  to  exalt  temperance,  a  single 
branch  of  Gospel  morality,  above  religion 
itself;  thus  making  it  of  more  worth  than  that 
which  makes  us  meet  for  heaven — constituting 
the  temperance  pledge  a  test  of  Christian 
character  and  church  communion,  a  rule  un- 
known to  the  Church  and  word  of  God — and 
establishing  it  as  a  principle  that  any  use  of 
wine,  no  matter  how  small  the  quantity,  is  a 
sin ;  of  course,  banishing  it  from  the  Table  of 
the  Lord,  although  the  Saviour  himself  has 
made  it  a  symbol  of  that  blood  which  was 
shed  for  the  remission  of  sin.     These  assurap- 


200  LECTURE      VIII. 

tions  Christians  have  never  believed,  and  to 
these  principles  they  can  never  submit.  The 
urging  of  these  points,  often  in  intemperate  and 
abusive  terms,  has  made  many  a  Christian 
pause,  and  caused  many  a  man  who  tasted  no 
intoxicating  drink,  to  withhold  his  name  from 
the  temperance  pledge,  and  the  public  support 
of  a  cause  which  was  dearer  to  him  than  his 
life.  Thus  has  Satan  succeeded  in  making  the 
real  friends  of  Christ,  the  seeming  enemies  of 
the  cause  of  temperance.  And  thus  has  the 
spirit  of  fanaticism  injured  a  cause  which  every 
good  man  must  love.  Let  me  say  to  Chris- 
tians, beware  how  you  withhold  yourselves 
from  the  support  of  a  cause,  so  important  and 
good  in  itself,  on  account  of  the  folly,  or  even 
wickedness,  of  its  professed  friends.  And  to 
all  others  I  say,  you  may  be  never  so  tempe- 
rate, and  lose  your  soul.  Temperance  is  not 
rehgion. 

Again,  the  operation  of  this  spirit  may  also 
be  seen  in  the  views  which  are  entertained,  and 
the  conduct  which  is  pursued  with  respect  to  hu- 
man rights.  Probably  no  people  on  earth  have 
ever  better  understood  the  principles  of  civil 
and  religious  liberty,  or  been  more  strongly 
attached  to  them,  than  the  inhabitants  of  these 
United  States.  This  has  led  them  earnestly  to 
desire  that  all  other  nations  may  possess  insti- 


FANATICISM.  201 

tutions  similar  to  our  own,  to  hail  with  joy 
every  approximation   to   it,  and  to  anticipate 
with  confidence  the  near  approach  of  the  day 
when  it   shall  take  place.     This  may  all  be 
right  and  proper,  but  it  is  both  foolish  and  fa- 
natical to  suppose  all  nations,  however  igno- 
rant  and   degraded,  are   capable  of  forming, 
maintaining,  and  enjoying  institutions  equally 
free  and  happy,  or  that  we  have  a  call  in  Di- 
vine Providence  to  interfere  with  them.     Upon 
such,  the  examples  of  France,  Spain,  and  the 
Mexican  and  South  American  States,  are  lost. 
They  are  incapable  of  perceiving  the  necessary 
connexion  which  exists  between  civil  liberty, 
and  intelligence  and  virtue.     France  and  Spain 
have  receded.     The  cry  of  liberty  and  equality 
has  died  on  the  ear,  and  the  revolutions  to  the 
south  of  us  have  followed  each  other  like  the 
waves   of  a   troubled   ocean,  whose   agitated 
waters   are  continually  casting   up   mire   and 
dirt.     So  wild  are  a  portion  of  the  American 
people  on  the  subject,  that  it  has  more  than 
once   required   all  the  wisdom,  and  vigilance, 
and  energy  of  our  government,  to  restrain  the 
people  from  hurrying  us  into  a  foreign  war. 

And  free  and  happy  as  our  institutions  are, 
leaving  the  wise  and  good  nothing  to  desire  on 
the  subject  but  a  sufficiency  of  intelligence  and 
virtue  to  enjoy,  and  preserve  our  immunities 


202  LECTURE     VIII. 

and  privileges,  and  hearts  to  adore  and  praise 
the  giver  of  every  good  and  perfect  gift,  there 
are  many  in  our  land,  who,  impatient  of  all 
restraint,  would  prostrate  the  very  institutions 
and  laws  by  which  our  liberty  and  privileges 
are  secured  and  maintained.  Witness  the  ra- 
vings of  a  foreign  profligate  female  in  a  neigh- 
bouring city  on  the  day  of  sacred  rest,  and  the 
thousands  who  follow  and  applaud  her,  This, 
however,  is  a  mere  drop  in  the  bucket ;  the 
wild  vapourings  of  infidelity  and  agrarianism  in 
a  state  of  combination — and  will  serve  to  show 
how  exceedingly  foolish  men  can  be  when  they 
adopt  the  abominable  absurdity  that  there  is  no 
God.  Perhaps  the  following  specimen,  select- 
ed from  the  proceedings  of  the  peace  conven- 
tion, composed  of  men  and  women,  laymen  and 
clergymen,  convened  at  Boston  on  the  18th  of 
September  last,  may  more  fully  illustrate  the 
subject.  The  second  article  of  their  constitu- 
tion reads  thus :  "  The  members  of  this  society 
agree  in  opinion,  that  no  man,  or  body  of  men, 
however  constituted,  or  by  whatever  name 
called,  have  the  right  to  take  the  life  of  man 
as  a  penalty  for  transgression ;  that  no  one 
who  professes  to  have  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  can 
consistently  sue  a  man  at  law  for  redress  of  inju- 
ries, or  thrust  any  evil  doer  into  prison,  or  fill 
any  office  in  which  he  would  come  under  obli- 


FANATICISM.  203 

gation  to  execute  penal  enactments — or  take  any 
part  in  the  military  service — or  acknowledge  al- 
legiance to  any  human  government — or  justify 
any  man  in  fighting  in  defence  of  property, 
liberty,  life,  or  religion — that  he  cannot  engage 
in  or  countenance  any  plot  or  effort  to  revolu- 
tionize, or  change,  by  physical  violence,  any 
government,  however  corrupt  or  oppressive; 
that  he  will  obey  the  powers  that  be,  except  in 
those  cases  in  which  they  bid  him  violate  his 
conscience ;  and  then,  rather  than  resist,  he 
will  meekly  submit  to  the  penalty  of  disobe- 
dience; and  that,  while  he  will  cheerfully  en- 
dure all  things  for  Christ's  sake,  without 
cherishing  even  the  desire  to  inflict  injury  upon 
his  persecutor,  yet  he  will  be  bold  and  un- 
compromising for  God,  in  bearing  his  testi- 
mony against  sin,  in  high  places,  and  in  low 
places,  until  righteousness  and  peace  shall  reign 
in  all  the  earth,  and  there  shall  be  none  to  mo- 
lest or  make  afraid." 

If  any  doubt  could  exist,  as  to  the  meaning 
of  the  foregoing  article,  the  following  "  declara- 
tion of  sentiment,"  accompanying  it,  would  re- 
move it :  "  We  cannot  acknowledge  allegiance 
to  any  human  government" — "  We  love  the 
land  of  our  nativity  only  as  we  love  all  other 
lands" — "  No  resistance  ought  to  be  offered  to 
domestic  troublers  of  the  peace,  or  of  private 


204  LECTURE     VIII. 

security" — "  We,  therefore,  voluntarily  exclude 
ourselves  from  every  legislative  and  judicial 
body,  and  repudiate  all  human  politics,  worldly 
honours,  and  stations  of  authority :  if  we  can- 
not occupy  a  seat  in  the  legislature,  or  on  the 
bench,  neither  can  we  elect  others  to  act  as 
our  substitutes  in  any  such  capacity."  My 
hearers,  what  shall  we  call  all  this?  These  are 
the  enactments  and  declarations  of  American 
citizens,  many  of  them  well  educated  men  and 
women,  some  of  them  professing  Christians, 
and  even  clergymen.  Are  these  the  deduc- 
tions of  right  reason,  or  Christian  intelligence; 
or  are  they  the  wild  ravings  of  hair-brained, 
moon-stricken  fanatics? 

Whatever  they  are,  they  are  the  results  of 
the  wisdom  of  the  men  who  are  agitating  the 
country  with  the  subject  of  anti-slavery,  or  mo- 
dern abolitionism.  Of  this  institution,  to  some 
of  whose  doings  I  have  directed  your  atten- 
tion, Lloyd  Garrison  is  the  Corresponding  Sec- 
retary, and  the  Rev.  H.  C.  Wright,  a  leading 
member.  So  that,  the  same  spirit  actuates 
both  bodies,  and  the  same  results  may  be  ex- 
pected from  their  doings.  The  association 
would,  at  once,  destroy  all  law  and  govern- 
ment, with  every  connected  institution,  civil 
and  religious,  and  call  it,  carrying  out  the  prin- 
ciples of  peace;    and  the  latter  is   labouring 


FANATICISM.  205 

hard  to  subvert  the  constitution  of  the  country, 
and  break  up  the  Union  of  the  States,  by  in- 
flaming the  passions  of  men,  and  exciting  the 
bitter  feehngs  and  angry  passions  of  one  por- 
tion of  our  countrymen  against  another,  for 
the  purpose  of  attaining  an  object  which,  by 
such  means,  is  either  utterly  hopeless,  or  at- 
tainable only  by  the  slaughter  of  one-half  of 
the  inhabitants  of  our  country.  The  effect, 
thus  far,  has  been,  only  to  excite  a  great  deal 
of  angry  feehngs,  abridge  the  privileges  of 
those  for  whose  benefit  they  professed  to  act, 
increased  the  friends  of  slavery,  deadened  the 
sympathy  which  was  felt  in  our  land  for  the 
African  race,  and  not  improbably  postponed, 
for  a  long  time,  the  day  of  emancipation. 

But,  when  was  the  spirit  of  fanaticism  wise? 
When  was  a  blind  zeal  ever  known  to  form 
judicious  plans,  or  to  take  prudent  or  practical 
measures  for  their  accomplishment?  If  their 
motives  were  never  so  good  and*  holy  at  the 
start,  they  might  very  easily,  and  probably 
would,  become  so  heated  in  the  chase  as  to 
become  reckless;  and  others,  as  destitute  of 
principle  as  of  sound  discretion,  would,  by 
their  zeal,  be  attracted  to  them,  and  rush  on 
with  them,  and  the  cause  would  very  soon 
cease  to  have  the  excuse  even  of  good  motives 
to  sanctify  it.     This,  I  apprehend,  has,  to  a 

IS 


206  LECTURE    VIII. 

considerable  extent,  become  the  case  with  anti- 
slavery,  by  attempting  to  unite  with  the  poli- 
tics of  the  day.  Let  the  wise  and  the  good, 
who  love  their  country  and  its  institutions,  be 
on  their  guard  against  every  fanatical  move- 
ment, and,  withal,  their  own  spirits!  The 
greater  watchfulness  and  care  are  necessary, 
because  religion  itself  has  been  attempted  to 
be  drawn  into  this  vortex,  and  the  principles  of 
modern  abolitionism  have  been  sought  to  be 
made  a  test  of  Christian  character  and  reli- 
gious fellowship.  It  is  one  of  the  wedges 
which  has  been  applied  to  split  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  in  two,  as  well  as  dissever  the 
union  of  these  States ;  and  in  this  form,  and 
with  these  sentiments  as  good  as  avowed,  it 
deserves,  and  should  receive,  the  pointed  con- 
demnation of  all  who  feel  the  importance  of 
truth  and  order,  in  Church  or  State. 

It  would  be  strange,  my  hearers,  if  such  a 
spirit,  in  such  an  age  as  the  present,  when  the 
human  mind  has  become  so  restless,  and  when 
the  very  dictates  of  the  Holy  Spirit  are  said  to 
be  improvable  by  human  wisdom,  had  not  in- 
truded itself  directly  into  the  concerns  of  reli- 
gion. Perhaps  it  might  reasonably  have  been 
expected.  It  has  accordingly  taken  place. 
There  has  seldom  been  an  age,  when  errors  in 
principle  and  practice  have  had  a  more  rapid 


FANATICISM.  207 

growth  and  wide-spread.  I  refer  not  now  to 
the  rise  and  spread  of  Unitarianism,  in  the 
eastern  part  of  our  country.  That  is  a  sys- 
tem which  has  not  vitahty  enough  to  excite 
either  the  feehngs  or  the  imaginations  of  men. 
It  aims  at  arrogating  to  itself  the  learning, 
philosophy,  and  politeness  of  the  age.  It  is  a 
"  dead  sea,"  whose  heavy  waters  no  winds  ap- 
pear to  be  capable  of  raising  into  waves. 

I  allude  to  the  system  of  error,  which  has 
falsified  the  true  nature  of  the  atonement,  de- 
nied, substantially,  original  sin,  and  with  it,  the 
views  which  the  Scriptures  give  us  of  the  na- 
ture and  necessity  of  the  Spirit's  operations  in 
regeneration,  substituting  for  them  the  self- 
determining  power  of  the  human  will,  under 
the  exciting  influences  of  protracted  meetings, 
strong  appeals  to  the  principles  of  self-love, 
duty,  and  the  supposed  ability  which  men  pos- 
sess to  change  their  own  hearts,  anxious-seats, 
and  other  human  machinery — means,  by  which 
great  excitements  have  been  produced,  many 
souls  have  been  introduced  into  the  Church, 
and  high  hopes  raised  concerning  the  enlarge- 
ment and  glory  of  Zion,  but  which,  as  the 
event  has  proved,  has  served  to  fill  the  Church 
with  unsound  members,  almost  destroyed  the 
effect  of  the  ordinary  and  stated  ministrations 
of  the  Word  and  ordinances,  rendered  the  pas- 


208  LECTURE     VIII. 

torai  office  well  nigh  useless,  given  a  fitful 
character  to  religion,  and  made  the  Church, 
where  it  has  had  its  fullest  influence,  like  a  fo- 
rest through  which  a  devouring  fire  has  passed. 
"  By  their  fruits,"  says  the  blessed  Saviour, 
"  ye  shall  know  them :  Do  men  gather  grapes 
of  thorns,  or  figs  of  thistles?"  There  was  in 
all  this,  life,  and  activity,  and  zeal.  Masses 
of  men,  in  whole  districts  of  country,  were  not 
only  moved,  but  agitated.  Astonishing  effects 
were  wrought.  But  there  was  little  of  the 
meekness,  gentleness,  and  humility  of  Christ, 
even  where  there  was  evidence  of  a  radical 
change,  and,  more  commonly,  it  soon  became 
manifest,  that  much  of  it  was  the  mere  effect 
of  sympathy,  or  the  formation  of  a  stern  reso- 
lution to  be  religious,  very  much  apart  from  all 
real  conviction  of  sinfulness,  and  that  work 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  by  which  men  are  created 
anew  in  Christ  Jesus  unto  good  works.  Nor 
need  these  things  be  wondered  at,  if  it  be  true, 
as  is  said,  that  men  can  get  such  movements 
up  at  their  pleasure,  and  change  "  their  gov- 
erning purpose"  at  will.  Of  these  things,  in 
forms  somewhat  modified  and  varied,  our  age 
and  country  have  seen,  heard,  and  felt  much. 
It  is  no  difficult  thing  to  obtain  believers,  ad- 
mirers, and  followers  for  any  system  of  doc^ 
trine    or   practice,    be   it   never   so   contrary, 


FANATICISM.  209 

not  only  to  God's  well-attested,  revealed  will, 
but  the  best  established  principles  of  experi- 
ence, and  the  common  sense  of  mankind. 
And,  what  ought  to  excite  no  small  degree  of 
wonder,  if  any  of  the  vagaries  of  fanaticism 
are  to  be  wondered  at,  men  will  receive  them 
without  evidence  as  divine,  and  stake  their 
eternal  all  on  them,  who  will  believe  nothing 
which  the  Bible  teaches,  although  it  be  attested 
by  miracles  wrought,  by  prophecies  fulfilled,  by 
the  phenomena  of  nature,  by  the  history  of  na- 
tions, by  the  wants  and  maladies  of  human  na- 
ture, and  the  experience  of  millions  of  our  race. 
They  prefer  the  very  dreams  and  wild  imagi- 
nations of  Mormonism  to  these,  however  well 
attested.  Nothing  is  too  absurd  to  be  be- 
lieved and  practiced.  My  hearers,  ^'  the  times 
are  out  of  joint,"  and  this  is  one  of  the  moral 
maladies  of  the  day.  Every  thing  has  felt  it, 
and  every  thing  has  been  injured  by  it.  And 
religion  has  not  been  among  the  least  sufferers 
by  it.  What  will  render  it  difficult  of  cure  is, 
that  men  hold  the  dreams  of  their  wild  imagi- 
nations to  be  the  highest  dictates  of  wisdom. 
The  ship  is  afloat,  and  loosed  from  her  moor- 
ings, with  every  sail  set,  and  filled,  but,  alas! 
she  is  destitute  of  ballast,  rudder,  compass,  and 
pilot,  and,  if  we  had  no  divine  security,  the 
voyage  would  be  hopeless,  , 

18* 


210  LECTURE    VIII. 

What  shall  we  do  in  such  a  case?  What 
can  we  do  but  repudiate  the  dreams  and  imagi- 
nations of  men,  and  get  back  as  fast  as  possi- 
ble to  the  principles  of  sober  sense,  and  re- 
vealed truth.  When  they  cry,  "Lo!  here  is 
Christ,  or,  lo!  there,"  let  us  not  go  after  them. 
"  We  have,  also,  a  more  sure  word  of  prophecy, 
whereunto,  ye  do  well  to  take  heed,  as  unto 
a  light  that  shineth  in  a  dark  place."  A  con- 
stant, humble,  prayerful  regard  to  the  plain,  un- 
sophisticated testimonies  of  God's  word,  will 
be  an  admirable  safeguard  against  the  sophis- 
tries and  delusive  imaginations,  with  which 
multitudes  are  deceiving  themselves,  and  en- 
dangering others.  This  will  preserve  us  from 
being  carried  about  hy  every  wind  of  doctrine^ 
by  the  sleight  of  men^  and  cimjiing  craftiness^ 
whereby  they  lie  in  wait  to  deceive.  And  then, 
too,  we  shall  be  able  to  follow  the  direction  of 
the  Apostle  John.  "Beloved,  believe  not  every 
spirit,  but  try  the  spirits,  whether  they  are  of 
God;  because  many  false  prophets  are  gone 
out  into  the  world."  This  is  now  as  true  as  it 
was  when  John  wrote.  But  it  is  equally  true, 
that  false  doctrines,  and  lying  spirits,  may  be 
detected,  by  bringing  them  to  the  law  and  the 
testimony;  and  that  the  man  whose  heart  is 
deeply  imbued  with  the  love  of  the  truth,  and 
makes  the  word  of  God  the  man  of  his  coun- 


^  FANATICISM.  211 

sel,  and  the  guide  of  his  hfe,  will  not  very 
easily  be  led  astray.  Let  him  only  be  rooted 
and  grounded  in  the  love  and  truth  of  God, 
and  he  shall  be  as  Mount  Zion,  which  cannot 
be  removed. 

We  may,  from  this,  readily  perceive  why  a 
restless,  fanatical  spirit  has  obtained  such  a 
wide  currency,  and  exercised  such  an  exten- 
sive influence  in  the  present  day.  The  minds 
of  men  have  been  empty.  They  have  had 
a  very  imperfect  and  superficial  acquaintance 
with  the  word  of  God.  They  have  not  made 
the  holy  oracles  their  own,  by  meditation  and 
reflection.  They  have  devoured  every  thing 
indiscriminately,  and  digested  nothing,  and  the 
consequence  has  been,  that  they  have  not 
grown  in  the  grace  and  knowledge  of  our 
Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.  And,  what 
is  worse,  they  are  proud  of  their  folly,  and 
have  proved  it  by  calling  the  present,  "  the  age 
of  action" — as  if  the  whole  of  religion  con- 
sisted in  action;  or,  as  if  there  could  be  any 
correct,  consistent  action  which  was  not  based 
on  principle,  and  guided  by  knowledge.  Men 
have  run  before  they  were  called,  and,  when 
questioned  on  the  subject,  have  been  unable  to 
give  a  reason  of  the  hope  that  is  in  them. 
They  have  adopted  their  own  notions  as  the 
doctrines  of  Christ,   and  the  practices  which 


212  LECTURE     VIII. 

they  found  to  produce  the  most  visible  effects, 
as  the  best  calculated  to  benefit  the  souls  of 
men,  because  they  were  strangers  to  the  nature 
and  necessity  of  the  Spirit's  influences,  as 
taught  in  the  sacred  Scriptures;  and  others, 
who  ought  to  have  known  better,  and  who 
probably  did  know  better,  deceived  by  what 
they  heard  and  saw,  and  not  taking  time  to 
test  the  eflfects,  by  time  and  the  word  of  God, 
were  led  to  follow  in  the  train,  for  fear  of  be- 
ing found  fighting  against  God.  The  evil  will 
never  be  cured  till  Christians  become  careful 
and  diligent  students  of  God's  word,  and,  with 
meekness,  humility,  and  reverence,  derive  both 
their  principles  and  practices  from  its  simple 
teachings. 

Again :  If  you  would  avoid  the  spirit, 
against  which  I  have  endeavoured  to  warn 
you,  think  and  reflect  much  on  divine  things, 
with  fervent  prayer  to  God  that  he  would  give 
you  a  right  understanding  of  his  word,  and 
your  duty.  A  thoughtful,  reflecting  mind,  is 
never  a  light  and  trifling  one,  carried  away, 
headlong,  by  the  passions  of  the  heart,  or  the 
dreams  and  imaginations  of  an  ill-furnished 
head.  The  fanatic  rarely  thinks,  or,  if  he 
does,  it  is  seldom  to  much  purpose.  He  is  al- 
ways in  a  hurry.  Like  Jehu,  he  driveth  furi- 
ously;   and,  hke  him,  a  stranger  to  the  love 


FANATICISM.  213 

and  knowledge  of  God,  he  is  apt  to  cry, 
"Come,  see  my  zeal  for  the  Lord."  The 
Apostle  Paul  bore  witness  of  the  Jews  of  his 
day :  "  That  they  had  a  zeal  of  God,  but  not 
according  to  knowledge."  And  what  was  the 
consequence?  They  crucified  the  Lord  of 
glory,  and  persecuted  his  followers.  They 
took  counsel  of  their  passions.  They  were 
fanatics.  Thought  and  reflection  would  have 
allayed  these  cruel  and  wicked  passions,  and 
kept  them  in  abeyance. 

Finally:     Let  it  not  be  taken  for  granted, 
that  these  views  of  truth  and  duty  are  opposed 
to  zeal  and  activity  in  the  Lord's  service,  or, 
that  they  will  furnish  an  excuse  for  sloth  and 
idleness,  and  warrant  a  man  to  sit  down,  and 
fold  his  hands  to  sleep.     Whatever  others  may 
think  on  the  subject,  it  is  no  part  of  my  mean- 
ing.    If  there  be  any  one  subject,  which  has 
a  just  claim  to  occupy  every  power,  both  of 
head  and  heart,  it  is  the  subject  of  rehgion. 
There  is  enough  in  it,  personally  considered, 
to  furnish  a  full  warrant  for  the  exhortation, 
"  Work  out  your  own  salvation  with  fear  and 
trembling."     There  is  enough  in  the  state  and 
danger  of  sinners  to  make  every  Christian  feel 
as  Jeremiah  did,  when  he  cried,  "  O  that  my 
head  were  waters,  and  mine  eyes  a  fountain  of 
tears,  that  I  might  weep  day  and  night  for  the 


214       LECTURE    VIII. FANATICISM. 

slain  of  the  daughter  of  my  people!"  Paul 
did  not  press  the  subject  beyond  its  just  and 
proper  bounds,  when  he  said  to  the  Corin- 
thians, "Now,  then,  we  are  ambassadors  for 
Christ,  as  though  God  did  beseech  you  by  us; 
we  pray  you,  in  Christ's  stead,  be  ye  recon- 
ciled to  God."  Every  child  of  God,  as  well  as 
every  minister  of  the  Gospel,  should  be,  not 
only  a  shining^  but  a  burning  light.  His  un- 
derstanding should  be  full  of  divine  light,  and 
his  heart  of  divine  love.  His  soul,  body,  and 
spirit  should  be  the  Lord's.  This,  however, 
may  be,  and  yet  the  man  be  at  an  infinite  re- 
move from  cold-hearted,  inconsistent  fanati- 
cism. The  one  resembles  an  eccentric  comet, 
wandering  in  the  sky;  while  the  path  of  the 
other,  is  as  "the  shining  light,  that  shineth 
more  and  more,  even  unto  the  perfect  day." 
So  may  all,  who  professedly  belong  to  the 
Lord,  speedily  become,  and  the  reproach  of 
Zion  be  forever  wiped  away ! 


LECTURE    IX. 

SLAVERY. 

MATTHEW  XVI.  III. 
CAN  YE  NOT  DISCERN  THE  SIGNS  OF   THE  TIMES. 

The  last  "  sign  of  the  times"  which  was  passed 
in  review  by  us,  was  "  the  spirit  of  fanati- 
cism." By  this  was  understood,  "  a  tendency 
to  carry  every  thing  with  which  we  have  any 
thing  to  do  to  extremes,  or  beyond  their  just 
and  proper  bounds."  And  this  we  have  shown 
to  have  arisen  partly,  from  viewing  objects  or 
subjects  singly  and  alone,  and  dwelling  upon 
them  till  our  imagination  magnified  them  into 
supreme  importance.  And  partly  from  that 
restlessness  of  spirit  by  which  the  present  age 
has  been  characterized  and  illustrated.  Its 
rise  was  connected  with  the  religious  and  po- 
litical movements  of  the  last  century. 

The  subject  was  considered — 1st.  As  it  has 
manifested  itself  in  the  various  departments  of 
business  and  gain.  2d.  With  respect  to  the 
temperance  cause.    3d.   With  respec*  to  hu- 


216  LECTURE     IX. 

man  rights,  as  illustrated  by  the  "  Peace"  and 
"Anti-Slavery  Societies."  And  4th,  its  influ- 
ence on  the  interests  of  religion.  That  such  a 
spirit  existed,  and  was  exercising  an  extensive 
and  deleterious  influence  on  every  subject  and 
interest  with  which  it  had  commingled  itself, 
was  proved  and  illustrated.  It  was  also  shown 
that  it  was  the  duty  of  all  who  loved  their  coun- 
try, and  all  who  took  an  interest  in  the  preser- 
vation of  truth  and  order,  and  the  welfare  of 
our  race,  to  watch  against  the  influence  of  this 
spirit.  If  it  is  permitted  to  prevail,  it  will 
sweep  away  every  thing  which  is  valuable  in 
the  civil  institutions  of  our  country,  destroy 
the  hopes  which  the  friends  of  civil  liberty 
have  entertained  concerning  the  experiment 
which  we  are  now  making  on  the  subject,  fulfil 
the  predictions  of  its  enemies,  and  overturn 
some  of  the  fairest  hopes  of  the  friends  of  re- 
ligion. From  this  it  results  that  the  friends 
of  truth  and  order  should'  possess  their  souls  in 
patience,  guard  against  the  influence  of  this 
spirit,  and  when  this  enemy  comes  in  like  a 
flood,  pray  fervently  and  importunately  to  Him 
who  has  the  hearts  of  all  men  in  his  hands,  and 
can  turn  them  at  his  will,  that  he  may  say  to 
the  waves  of  this  raging  flood — thus  far  shall 
ye  come  and  no  farther.  Our  ultimate  hope 
must  be  in  God.     Men  may  raise  this  spirit. 


SLAVERY.  217 

but   they  can   neither  govern   it,   nor  lay  it. 
The 

VIII.  Sign  of  the  times  to  which  your  at- 
tention will  be  directed  is  one  which  involves 
the  interest  of  our  beloved  country  to  a  greater 
extent  than  any  one  which  we  have  as  yet  con- 
templated. How  we  can  avoid  looking  at  it, 
and  feeling  with  respect  to  it  the  deepest  solici- 
tude, it  is  difficult  to  conjecture.  I  allude  to 
the  subject  of  Slavery — a  subject  which  has 
deeply  agitated  the  public  mind,  and  which,  in 
one  way  or  other,  mingles  itself  with  the  dear- 
ests  interests  of  our  beloved  country.  It  is  a 
subject  which  requires  the  wisest  and  calmest 
consideration,  on  which,  if  men  take  counsel 
of  their  passions,  they  will  be  sure  to  be  led 
astray,  and  be  in  danger  of  producing  results 
which  they  will  be  sure  to  regret,  but  cannot 
change.  No  man  who  is  reckless  of  conse- 
quences, who  is  not  capable  of  weighing  with 
wise  caution  the  probable  effects  which  impor- 
tant causes  are  likely  to  produce  in  such  a 
country  as  ours,  who  is  not  well  acquainted 
with  the  character  of  the  American  people,  the 
nature  of  our  civil  institutions,  the  relations 
which  the  various  parts  of  our  country  sustain 
to  each  other,  and  the  duties  which  arise  out 
of  them;  who  does  not  sincerely  love  his  coun- 
try, who  does  not  possess  a  meek  and  quiet 

19 


218  LECTURE    IX. 

spirit,  or  who  is  not  in  a  good  degree  capable 
of  governing  his  own  spirit,  should  suffer  him- 
self to  agitate  such  a  subject  at  such  a  time. 

I  may  be  asked,  why  call  it  up  ?  Not  sim- 
ply because  it  is  a  sign  of  the  times,  and  a  por- 
tentous and  agitating  one  too,  but  from  the 
very  difficulties  and  dangers  by  which  it  is  sur- 
rounded, to  induce,  persuade,  and  beseech  my 
countrymen,  and  especially  the  followers  of  the 
meek  and  lowly  Jesus,  to  give  it  that  calm,  de- 
liberate, and  prayerful  consideration  which  its 
high  importance  demands.  The  interests  which 
are  involved  in  it  are  neither  few  nor  small. 
They  will  be  found  to  bear  with  tremendous 
weight  on  all  our  institutions,  civil  and  religious, 
and  on  the  eternal  welfare  of  milhons  of  im- 
mortal souls.  There  are  difficulties  connected 
with  this  subject,  my  hearers,  from  which  no- 
thing but  the  w^isdom  and  grace  of  God  can  de- 
liver us.  And  these  difficulties  have  for  the 
last  few  years  been  increasing  upon  us  at  a 
most  fearful  and  appalling  rate. 

Pity  and  sympathy  for  the  African  race  are 
not  of  recent  date  in  our  country.  Before  the 
men  who,  for  the  last  five  or  six  years,  have 
figured  the  most  prominently  in  their  behalf, 
were  known  to  think  or  feel  on  the  subject, 
there  were  philanthropists  and  Christians  who 
not  only  felt  and  prayed  for  this  unhappy  race 


SLAVERY.  219 

of  men,  but  were  silently  and  efficiently  exert- 
ing themselves  to  benefit  them,  with  a  prospect 
and  hope  which  I  fear  will  not  exist  again  for 
a  long  time  to  come.  I  wish  my  hearers  to 
listen  to,  and  remember,  what  I  am  about  say- 
ing. These  men  believed  themselves  to  have 
received  in  good  faith  from  the  prominent  pub- 
lic men  of  the  South,  a  satisfactory  assurance 
of  the  abolition  of  slavery  in  the  District  of 
Columbia,  by  the  action  of  Congress  at  a  speci- 
fied time  then  near  at  hand ;  and  I  have  no 
doubt  the  plan  would  have  been  carried  into 
effect,  but  for  the  alarm  occasioned  by  the  sud- 
den rush,  and  intemperate  and  abusive  publica- 
tions made  at  the  time,  by  those  who  now 
claim  to  be  the  exclusive  friends  of  the  cause. 
This  I  fully  believe.  Nay,  I  know  the  promi- 
nent actors  in  it,  and  have  good  reason  to 
believe  that  they  would  have  been  successful 
in  it. 

At  the  same  time  also,  Virginia  and  Mary- 
land were  prepared  to  have  passed  laws  which 
would  have  terminated  slavery  in  those  States 
during  the  present  generation;  and  Kentucky 
and  Missouri  would  have  followed  the  example, 
if  they  had  not  led  the  way,  for  public  senti- 
ment in  the  latter  State  was  so  nearly  equally 
balanced,  that  a  feather  would  have  turned  the 
scale  in  favour  of  emancipation.     In  that  case, 


220  LECTURE    IX. 

North  Carolina  and  Tennessee  could  scarcely 
have  failed  to  follow  the  example  soon.  This 
would  have  given  a  prodigious  preponderance, 
both  moral  and  political,  to  the  non-slavehold- 
ing  States,  which  would  at  once  have  hindered 
the  introduction  of  slavery  into  any  new  States 
which  might  have  been  formed,  and  probably 
have  insured  its  extinguishment  in  the  remain- 
ing States  within  a  comparatively  short  period. 
I  thus  judge  from  the  facts,  that  many  in  those 
States  were  beginning  to  look  upon  it  as  a 
moral  evil  from  which  it  was  necessary  to  be 
delivered,  and  from  which  they  were  devising 
means  to  deliver  themselves.  Is  it  not  reason- 
able to  suppose,  that  with  such  feelings  on  the 
subject,  they  would  have  sought  and  found 
facilities  of  emancipation,  and  that  with  perfect 
freedom  to  speak  and  write  on  the  subject,  such 
sentiments  would  have  diffused  themselves 
widely  ?  This  would  especially  have  been 
the  case,  if,  as  is  believed,  this  sentiment  is 
connected  with  the  religious  principle. 

This  promising  state  of  things,  however,  un- 
happily, no  longer  exists.  The  prospect  which 
appeared  to  be  opening  before  us,  no  longer  pre- 
sents the  same  aspect.  Dark  and  gloomy  clouds 
have  gathered  over  it,  and  whether  they  will  be 
dissipated,  or  grow  darker,  and  burst  in  a  tem- 
pest, is  known  only  to  Him  who  knows  the  end 


SLAVERY.  221 

from  the  beginning,  has  the  hearts  of  all  men 
in  his  hand,  and  can  turn  them,  even  as  the 
rivers  of  water.  The  subject  is  of  such  im- 
portance as  to  commend  itself  to  the  serious 
and  prayerful  regard  of  every  friend  of  God 
and  his  country.  Look  at  it,  and  judge  for 
yourselves  whether  we  attach  too  much  impor- 
tance to  it. 

Our  country  probably  contains  about  sixteen 
millions  of  inhabitants.  Our  rise  and  progress 
have  been  wonderful.  God  has  given  us  a 
noble  land.  He  has  exercised  over  us  a  be- 
nign and  gracious  providence.  He  has  bes- 
towed upon  us  the  happiest  institutions,  and 
accommodated  them  to  our  circumstances — 
and  we  have  reason  to  say,  "  He  hath  not  dealt 
so  with  any  people."  In  an  evil  hour,  our  mo- 
ther country  introduced  slavery  among  us,  I 
believe  I  may  say,  against  the  will  of  our  fa- 
thers. We  had  it  on  our  hands  at  the  Revolu- 
tion. It  has,  unfortunately,  been  perpetuated, 
though  not  in  unison  with  our  institutions;  and 
it  has  grown  with  our  growth  to  its  present 
magnitude.  There  are,  probably,  now  in  our 
country,  well  nigh  three  millions  of  Africans 
or  their  descendants,  more  than  two  millions 
of  whom  are  in  a  state  of  involuntary  servi- 
tude. Nearly  all  the  slaves,  and  a  very  con- 
siderable proportion  of  those  who  are  free,  are 

19* 


222  LECTURE     IX. 

entirely  destitute  of  education,  and,  to  a  very 
great  extent,  destitute  also  of  the  appliances  of 
religion. 

The  slaves  of  course  are  destitute  of  pro- 
perty, and  cannot  legally  hold  any.  Nor  have 
they  any  direct  interest  in  the  institutions  of 
our  country.  Comparatively  few  of  those  who 
are  free,  are  possessed  of  property  enough  to 
render  their  earthly  circumstances  comfortable. 
In  several  of  the  States,  they  are  deprived  of 
the  common  rights  of  citizenship,  and  where 
this  is  not  the  case,  they  cannot  exercise  it 
with  facility  and  comfort.  In  addition  to  this, 
they  are  without  many  of  the  incentives  to  im- 
provement and  well-doing  which  are  common 
to  the  rest  of  the  inhabitants  of  our  country. 
They  have  scarcely  any  facilities  for  acquiring 
any  thing  more  than  a  common-school  educa- 
tion ;  and  if  they  had,  they  are  almost  shut  out 
from  any  sphere  in  which  they  could  exercise 
an  improved  intellect.  It  is  a  very  rare  thing 
to  find  one  of  them  in  the  medical  profession; 
with  that  of  the  law  they  never  meddle;  and 
few  of  them  are  ministers  of  the  Gospel.  Nor 
is  there  a  civil  office  of  profit  or  trust  which  is 
open  to  them.  Such,  too,  is  the  state  of  so- 
ciety, that  in  no  part  of  our  land  can  they  en- 
ter into  the  social  relations  upon  that  footing 
of  equality,  which  gives  to  those  relations  their 


SLAVERY.  223 

highest  charm,  and  makes  them  so  productive 
of  comfort  and  elevation. 

This  is  the  case  with  those  of  them  who  are 
free,  and  more  strikingly  so  with  those  who 
are  in  a  state  of  slavery ;  and,  if  they  were 
emancipated,  it  would  still  be  so.  This  state 
of  things  exists,  whatever  be  its  cause,  and  ex- 
perience and  observation  teach  us,  that  it  will 
be  no  light  or  easy  thing  to  produce  a  change. 
You  may  call  it  a  prejudice,  or  a  sin — such  are 
its  practical  influence  and  force  that  it  will  not 
be  easily  removed,  and,  certainly,  not  by  call- 
ing it  by  hard  names. 

There  exist,  then,  in  our  land,  two  distinct 
races  of  men,  who  do  not  differ  from  each  other 
more  widely  in  their  colour,  than  they  do  in 
their  circumstances — and  these  are  of  no  com- 
mon importance.  One  of  them,  has  very  little 
interest  in  the  institutions  of  our  country;  and 
the  great  body  of  them  are  illy  qualified  to  en- 
joy them.  We  have  already  seen,  that  even 
those  of  them  who  are  free  lack  many  of  the 
inducements  and  facilities  to  well-doing,  and 
elevation  in  the  intellectual  and  social  scale, 
which  are  common  to  the  whole  white  race. 
With  those  who  are  in  a  state  of  slavery, 
these  facihties  and  inducements  are  still  less. 
They  are  aliens  in  the  land  in  which  they  dwell, 


224  LECTURE    IX. 

and  feel  themselves  to  be,  for  a  long  time  to 
come,  in  a  state  of  degradation,  recovery  from 
which  will  be  a  very  difficult  thing. 

Those  of  them  who  are  free,  very  naturally 
desire  to  be  placed,  in  every  respect,  on  a  foot- 
ing of  perfect  equality  with  the  whites;  and  those 
who  are  in  a  state  of  slavery,  as  naturally  desire 
to  enjoy  freedom;  and,  if  they  believe  that  these 
immunities  are  improperly  or  unjustly  withheld 
from  them,  the  desire  will  be  greatly  increased, 
and  not  improbably  connected  with  impatient 
and  exacerbated  feelings. 

We  have,  then,  in  the  midst  of  us,  nearly 
three  millions  of  people,  who  are  aliens  to  the 
remaining  twelve  or  thirteen  millions,  the  body 
of  whom  are  destitute  of  property,  of  educa- 
tion, and  of  civil  rights;  who  have  received 
very  little  moral  culture;  who  have  been 
brought  up  in  such  a  state  of  dependence  as 
never  to  have  relied  upon  their  own  resources 
or  exertions  for  support,  and  therefore  are  as 
ignorant  as  children,  of  that  practical  econo- 
my so  necessary  to  conduct,  advantageously, 
the  most  ordinary  concerns  of  life,  nor  less  ig- 
norant of  the  nature  and  operation  of  our  civil 
and  political  institutions.  The  man,  who  can 
see  no  difficulties  and  dangers  in  this  state  of 
things,  deeply  affecting  the  interest  and  welfare 


SLAVERY.  225 

of  our  beloved  country,  has  very  little  claim  to 
discernment — has  viewed  the  subject  through  a 
very  deceptive  medium. 

What  can  be  done  to  relieve  the  subject  of 
its  distressing  aspects?  Say  some,  raise  the 
free  at  once  to  a  perfect  social  and  civil  equa- 
lity. This  is  easily  said,  but  not  so  easily 
done.  Such  is  the  state  of  society,  that  it  will 
require  a  long  time,  and  great  changes  in  pub- 
lic sentiment,  before  their  most  sanguine  friends 
can  hope  to  see  them  mingling,  freely  and 
equally,  in  the  civil  and  political  affairs  of  our 
country.  Whatever  may  have  given  rise  to 
the  sentiment  which  excludes  them,  it  exists; 
and  observation  proves,  that  it  will  not  be 
easily  changed.  You  may  call  it  an  unreason- 
able prejudice.  But  prejudices  are  not  often 
easily  overcome.  Call  it,  if  you  please,  a  sin. 
It  is  frequently  a  difficult  thing  to  bring  men  to 
repentance.  It  will  be  still  more  difficult,  to 
change  their  social  relations.  Were  it  practi- 
cally attempted,  those  who  made  the  attempt, 
instead  of  elevating  them,  would  degrade  them- 
selves. The  subject  has  more  difficulties  con- 
nected with  it  than  enthusiasts  have  ever  ima- 
gined. It  will  require  many  a  cogent  argu- 
ment, and  many  a  persuasive  plea,  to  produce 
the  desired  change.     The  modest,  unobtrusive 


226  LECTUREIX. 

demeanour,  and  continued  practical  well-doing 
of  the  coloured  race  themselves,  will  go  farther 
towards  changing  public  sentiment  in  their  fa- 
vour, and  raising  them  in  society,  than  all  the 
laboured  arguments,  and  angry,  vituperative 
harano^ues  of  their — so  called — friends,  whose 
past  efforts,  I  fear,  have  done  them  any  thing 
but  good.  They  mistake  human  nature.  You 
cannot  dragoon  voluntary  agents  into  kindly 
feeling  or  right  action. 

The  great  difficulty,  however,  is  found  in  the 
case  of  those  who  are  still  in  a  state  of  bon- 
dage. However  desirable  their  emancipation 
may  be,  the  case  is  surrounded  with  difficulties 
which  it  will  not  be  easy  to  remove.  The 
case  cannot  be  touched  by  the  General  Gov- 
ernment. The  right  of  holding  slaves  is  guar- 
anteed to  the  States  by  the  Constitution,  and  an 
attempt  to  touch  it,  even  by  the  constitutional 
mode  of  changing  its  provisions,  would  dis- 
solve the  Union  into  its  elements,  and  blast  the 
hopes  which  its  establishment  has  raised.  It 
would  be  almost  a  hopeless  thing,  at  present, 
to  procure  an  enactment,  in  any  of  the  slave- 
holding  States,  which  would  give  them  a  re- 
mote prospect  of  freedom,  or  even  to  permit 
individuals  to  emancipate  them  without  an  im- 
mediate removal  from  the    country — and  cir- 


SLAVERY.  227 

cumstances  have  well  nigh  led  them  to  shut 
themselves  out  from  the  exercise  of  any  influ- 
ence by  which  a  change  might  be  produced. 

But  if  these  things  were  not  so,  still  the  case 
has  difficulties  of  great  magnitude  connected 
with  it,  which  are  calculated  deeply  to  affect 
the  heart  of  the  warmest  friend  of  the  race. 
Suppose  their  bonds  were  loosed  this  day! — 
that  every  one  of  them  were  to  go  out  free! 
How  would  that  affect  them,  and  the  commu- 
nity? It  would  add  two  millions  more  to  the 
number  of  those  who  would  be  obliged  to 
provide  for  themselves,  all  of  them  without  pro- 
perty, or  education,  or  moral  culture,  or  provi- 
dence, or  economy;  and  many  of  them,  too, 
aged  and  infirm,  or  too  young,  to  contribute 
to  their  own  support;  principally  located  in  a 
part  of  the  country  where  they  would  find  it 
much  more  difficult  to  elevate  themselves,  than 
in  portions  of  the  land  where  slavery  does  not 
exist.  It  would  take  several  generations,  be- 
fore any  considerable  portion  of  them  could  be 
expected  to  raise  themselves  to  any  thing  like 
an  equality  with  the  whites,  in  point  of  pro- 
perty or  education;  and  it  would  probably  be 
longer  still  before  the  whites,  having  the  power 
of  the  law  in  their  own  hands,  would  consent 
to  raise  them  to  a  civil  and  political  equality 
with  themselves.     On  all  these  accounts,  there 


228  LECTURE    IX. 

would  be  a  very  great  lack  of  means,  as  well 
as  inducements,  for  the  improvement  of  their 
state  and  worldly  circumstances,  which  would 
necessarily  prolong  the  season  of  their  proba- 
tion and  advancement — connected  with  heart- 
burnings, jealousies,  and  discontents,  as  well  as 
much  actual  suffering  from  poverty  and  want, 
some  of  it  arising  unavoidably  from  their  cir- 
cumstances, and  no  small  part  of  it  from  idle- 
ness and  improvidence.  The  experiment,  if  it 
were  tried,  even  under  the  most  favourable  cir- 
cumstances, would  prove,  that  the  difficulties  of 
the  case  are  not  imaginary.  Skeptics  may  en- 
lighten themselves  on  the  subject,  if  they  will  at- 
tentively study  the  moral  and  natural  statistics 
of  any  of  our  large  cities,  where  the  people  of 
colour  are  collected  together  in  large  numbers, 
or,  who  will  walk  our  streets  with  an  observant 
eye.  It  is  a  remarkable  and  instructive  fact, 
that  in  places  inhabited  by  whites,  slaves,  and 
free  people  of  colour,  the  proportion  of  deaths 
is  several  per  cent,  greater  among  the  free 
blacks  than  either  among  the  whites  or  the 
slaves.  The  facts  which  I  have  mentioned,  I 
have  no  doubt,  furnish  the  solution. 

I  mention  these  things,  not  as  an  argument 
against  their  emancipation,  for  I  heartily  desire 
it;  nor,  as  being  friendly  to  slavery,  for  I  think 
it  a  very  great  evil,  and  not  the  least  so  to  the 


SLAVERY.  229 

whites  who  Hve  in  the  midst  of  it — but  to 
show,  to  those  who  are  driving  at  the  object, 
without  any  regard  to  means  or  consequences, 
that  the  subject  is  not  free  from  great  difficul- 
ties, even  in  the  most  favourable  light  in  which 
it  can  be  placed.  The  difficulties  of  the  case 
would  be  greatly  increased,  whenever  their 
number  should  approximate  that  of  the  whites. 
Nor  is  the  problem  of  easy  solution  as  it  re- 
gards the  whites.  The  effect  on  them  cannot 
be  small.  The  change  on  their  part  will  be 
great  with  respect  to  all  who  have  passed  the 
season  of  infancy.  It  will  affect  very  seriously 
all  the  habits  of  their  lives,  as  well  as  their 
worldly  circumstances.  It  will  change  their  do- 
mestic and  social  relations,  and  will  have  no 
small  influence  on  ^vhat  they  have  been  in  the 
habit  of  esteeming  their  comforts.  These,  how- 
ever, are  things  which  some  either  entirely  over- 
look, or  totally  disregard.  They  consider  the 
slave-holder,  no  matter  how  he  became  so,  or 
what  his  character  in  other  respects  may  be,  no 
better  than  a  wild  beast,  who  may  be  hunted 
from  society,  or  a  demon  incarnate,  of  whom 
nothing  but  evil  should  be  spoken.  With  such 
views,  it  would  be  no  wonder  if  any  interest 
which  they  may  be  supposed  to  have  in  the  sub- 
ject, should  be  left  entirely  out  of  the  question. 
And  yet,  so  esteeming  and  treating  them,  they 

20 


230  LECTURE      IX. 

professedly  think  it  strange  that  they  cannot 
bring  them  into  their  views  by  such  means  of 
conviction  and  persuasion  !  Yet,  they  must  be 
considered  in  connexion  with  the  subject,  and 
they  will  be,  unless  the  change  is  to  be  brought 
about  by  the  power  of  the  sword.  Their  inte- 
rest and  welfare  are  as  fully  and  equitably  enti- 
tled to  consideration  in  the  settlement  of  this 
question,  as  the  other  party.  It  would  be  as 
unjust  to  disregard  them,  as  the  most  ardent 
abolitionist  thinks  it  to  hold  a  fellow  creature  in 
involuntary  bondage. 

It  is  presumed  to  be  evident  that  this  subject 
is  surrounded  with  practical  difficulties  on  every 
side,  in  w^iatever  light  it  may  be  viewed.  How- 
ever easy  some  men  may  think  it  to  cut  the 
knot,  men  of  sober  thought,  and  deep  reflec- 
tion, do  not  find  it  so  easy  a  matter  to  untie  it. 
With  as  ardent  a  love  of  country,  as  kindly  and 
sympathetic  feelings  for  the  slaves,  and  as  high 
a  regard  for  holiness  and  the  divine  will  as  re- 
vealed in  the  Sacred  Scriptures,  they  cannot 
contemplate  this  subject  without  perplexity  and 
alarm;  and  these  grow  upon  them  the  more 
closely  they  contemplate  it  in  the  light  cast 
upon  it  by  the  aspects  of  the  times. 

What  then  are  its  present  aspects  ?  There 
are  at  least  two  milUons  of  bondmen  in  our 
country.     Their  condition  is  anomalous  to  our 


SLAVERY.  231 

institutions.  They  are  degraded  by  bondage, 
poverty,  ignorance,  and  public  sentiment.  They 
are  unquahfied  to  enjoy  our  institutions,  at  pre- 
sent, even  if  they  were  free.  Circumstances 
are  unfavourable  to  their  elevation  to  an  equali- 
ty in  the  social  and  political  scale.  They  no 
doubt  feel  their  degradation,  and  anxiously  de- 
sire to  possess  the  privileges  of  which  they  are 
destitute.  The  whole  number  of  their  race 
among  us  is  about  one-fifth  of  our  population. 
Those  who  are  free  are  far  from  an  equality 
with  the  whites  in  advantages  and  privileges. 
They  all  feel  it,  and  desire  a  change ;  for  who 
desires  not  to  have  his  lot  bettered? 

Look  next  at  the  whites.  A  large  majority 
of  the  American  people  believe  slavery  to  be  a 
very  great  moral  and  political  evil.  They  sin- 
cerely wish  that  it  never  had  existed  in  our 
country,  and  that  we  might  be  entirely  freed 
from  it.  But  when  they  came  on  the  stage  of 
action,  they  not  only  found  it  in  existence,  in- 
corporated with  the  domestic  relations  of  a 
large  part  of  our  country,  as  it  then  was,  but 
identified  with  the  great  bond  of  our  political 
union,  and  dependent  for  its  continuance  on  the 
action  of  the  individual  States.  And  they  have 
seen  it  grow  up  to  so  enormous  a  magnitude, 
that  they  know  not  how  to  abate  or  remove  it. 
They  see   evil  and  difficulty  attending   every 


232  LECTURE      IX. 

view  they  can  take  of  the  subject;  and  they 
tremble  with  anxiety  when  they  look  at  it. 

Not  so  another  portion  of  the  American  peo- 
ple. They  not  only  look  at  it  as  a  great  moral 
and  political  evil,  the  aspects  of  which  are  darkly 
frowning  upon  our  country,  but  as  the  evil  of 
all  evils,  and  the  sin  of  all  sins,  and  therefore  to 
be  given  up  at  once  and  for  ever,  no  matter 
what  consequences  may  flow  from  it.  And 
hence  no  man  connected  with  it,  say  they,  shall 
be  a  minister  of  the  Gospel,  or  a  member  of 
the  •  Church  of  Christ,  till  he  hath  washed  his 
hands  clean  of  it;  or  in  other  words,  that  it 
is  such  a  damnable  heresy  as  to  exclude  a  man 
from  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  for  whatever  right- 
fully excludes  a  man  from  the  visible  Church,  if 
not  sincerely  repented  of,  excludes  from  the 
more  holy  society  of  heaven.  These  principles 
are  attempted  to  be  carried  out  by  enlisting  the 
periodical  press  as  extensively  as  possible  in 
the  cause,  by  the  dissemination  of  pamphlets 
and  books,  by  public  meetings  of  various  kinds, 
by  the  employment  of  agents,  and  especially 
public  lecturers  in  great  numbers,  by  flooding 
the  national  legislature  with  memorials  from 
session  to  session,  and  by  the  action  of  ecclesi- 
astical assemblies  and  churches. 

The  effect  of  all  this  has  been  to  rouse  the 
attention  and  call  into  exercise  the  angry  feel- 


SLAVERY.  233 

ings  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  slave-holding 
States ;  to  shut  out  from  among  them  all  per- 
sons and  publications  differing  from  the  senti- 
ments which  they  hold  on  the  subject ;  to  treat 
with  abuse,  and  in  some  instances  with  lawless 
personal  violence,  those  whom  they  have  sus- 
pected of  coming  among  them  with  designs 
hostile  to  slavery ;  to  deprive  the  slaves  of  the 
means  of  instruction  afforded  by  Sabbath- 
schools,  and  of  the  Gospel  itself,  lest  they 
should  become  more  desirous  of  liberty,  and 
better  able  to  assert  it ;  to  increase  and  fortify 
public  sentiment  in  favour  of  slavery,  and  to 
postpone  the  hope  of  its  abrogation.  The 
question  has  also  mingled  itself  with  the  poli- 
tics of  the  country,  excited  and  increased  sec- 
tional prejudices  and  difficulties,  distracted  our 
public  councils,  and  may  endanger  the  peace 
and  union  of  the  States. 

The  wise  and  good  contemplate  this  state  of 
things,  not  only  with  feelings  of  awe  and 
solemnity,  but  with  fear  and  trembling.  And 
they  feel  the  deeper  anxiety,  when  they  see 
Christian  men,  and  Christian  ministers,  under 
the  influence  of  excited  feelings,  and  reckless  of 
consequences,  rushing  headlong,  where  angels 
w^ould  feel  obliged  to  tread  with  caution.  To 
them  we  seem  to  be  standing  over  a  mine 
which   a  single  spark  may  cause  to  explode. 

20* 


234  LECTURE      IX. 

Suppose  this  fire  were  kindled,  who  can  tell 
how  deep  and  broad  the  conflagration  will  be  ? 
Who  will  count  the  slain,  or  calculate  the  loss  ? 
What  interest,  civil  or  religious,  will  not  suffer 
by  it  ?  It  will  then  be  too  late  to  mourn  our 
folly.  Let  the  antagonist  principles  which 
have  for  a  few  years  past  been  arraying  them- 
selves against  each  other,  press  each  other  a 
little  harder,  and  who  will  avert  the  explosion  ? 
I  have  often  wondered  why  God  in  his 
providence  has  suffered  two  such  races  of  men 
to  be  congregated  together  under  such  circum- 
stances, in  this  land.  And  this  has  been  the 
conclusion :  First — To  repay  to  Africa  the 
wrong  we  have  done  her,  by  the  return  of  at 
least  a  portion  of  her  children,  laden  with  the 
treasures  of  civilization  and  religion,  to  be  dis- 
seminated through  all  her  dark  borders  and 
tribes,  that  she  may  be  prepared  for  the  day  of 
millennial  glory.  And  hence  the  colonization 
cause  has  my  approbation  and  sympathy.  Se- 
cond— As  a  test  of  our  good  behaviour,  in  the 
enjoyment  and  due  improvement  of  the  blessed 
lot  which  he  has  so  graciously  bestowed  upon 
us,  and  a  rod  in  his  hand  to  chastise  us,  if  we 
should  abuse  our  privileges,  and  not  make 
suitable  returns  to  our  gracious  benefactor. 
And  this  leads  me  to  look  with  so  much 
anxiety  at  this  sign  of  the  times.     When  we 


SLAVERY.  235 

think  of  our  cupidity,  our  worldly  mindedness, 
our  lawlessness,  our  disregard  of  human  life, 
our  early  political  corruption,  our  national 
pride  and  vanity ;  and  last,  though  not  least, 
our  abuse  of  religious  privileges,  and  espe- 
cially our  individual  and  national  disregard  of 
God's  holy  day,  who  is  not  obliged  to  look 
with  fear  and  trembling  at  such  aspects  of 
providence  as  that  which  we  have  this  evening 
been  contemplating? 

This  subject  requires  the  deepest  considera- 
tion of  the  wisest  heads,  and  soundest  hearts  in 
our  land.  And  the  consideration  must  not  be 
delayed,  for  the  danger  is  threatening.  Let 
none  think  of  it  as  an  unimportant  matter. 
The  condition  of  three  millions,  circumstanced 
as  the  African  race  are  in  our  land,  must  ex- 
ercise an  important  influence  on  our  country 
for  good  or  evil.  They  are  in  an  important 
sense,  committed  to  our  care,  and  we  shall  not 
only  affect  them  by  our  treatment  of  them,  but 
ourselves  also.  Their  very  residence  among 
us  affects  all  our  institutions;  nor  will  it  be 
less  so  in  time  to  come,  and  may  be  much 
greater.  The  very  agitations  which  are  at 
present  connected  with  the  subject,  demand  it 
of  us  to  look  at  it  with  close  and  wise  atten- 
tion. 

If  there  be  any  one  thing  more  important 


236  LECTURE     IX. 

than  all  others,  to  be  attended  to  at  present,  it 
is  the  influence  of  a  wild,  reckless  spirit,  \\  hich, 
regardless  of  consequences,  rushes  at  its  object, 
as  the  eagle  at  its  prey.  Such  a  spirit  would 
not  be  a  safe  counsellor  on  such  a  subject  at 
such  a  time.  A  whole  community  under  ex- 
cited feeling  could  be  easily  made  to  run  mad. 
This  evil  is  not  to  be  thus  cured,  or  the  remedy 
will  be  worse  than  the  disease.  This  spirit  has 
already  done  a  mischief  on  this  very  subject, 
which  it  will  be  no  easy  thing  to  cure.  I  fear 
it  will  be  long  before  the  subject  will  again 
present  as  favourable  an  aspect  as  it  did  eight 
years  ago. 

And  if,  as  there  is  reason  to  apprehend,  this 
is  one  of  the  rods,  in  the  Lord's  hand,  to  chas- 
tise us  for  our  sins ;  and  if  there  is  reason  to 
fear,  that  he  is  now  holding  it  over  us  in  a 
threatening  manner,  then  it  becomes  us  to 
humble  ourselves  before  him,  and  return  to 
him,  in  the  attitude  of  penitents  and  suppliants. 
And  then  we  may  hope,  that  he  will  regard  our 
cry,  and  remove  all  our  fears.  x\t  all  events, 
we  shall  not  be  mistaken,  if  we  ask  counsel 
of  him.  "  If  any  lack  wisdom,  let  him  ask 
of  God;  who  giveth  liberally,  and  upbraideth 
not." 

Perplexed  as  the  whole  affair  is  to  human 
eyes,  and  little  as  we  may  know  how  to  relieve 


SLAVERY. 


237 


ourselves  from  its  difficulties,  God's  eye  pierces 
through  the  dark  cloud,  and  his  hand  can,  with 
infinite  ease,  remove  it,  and  bring  us  out  into 
the  clear  sunshine  of  his  favour.  "  With  God, 
all  things  are  possible,"  and  he  has  never  said 
to  any  of  his  creatures,  ''  seek  ye  my  face  in 
vain."  And  especially,  let  it  be  your  fervent 
prayer  and  earnest  endeavour,  that  the  Church 
of  God  may  be  kept  clear  from  the  passions 
and  agitations  which  men  are  seeking  to  con- 
nect with  the  subject.  If  this  be  not  the  case, 
the  salt  itself  will  lose  its  savor;  and  then^  where- 
with shall  it  he  salted?  There  are  a  multitude 
of  men,  connected  with  this  perplexing  subject, 
who  have  no  connexion  with  the  Church  of 
God,  and  they  have  no  right  to  ask  her  to  en- 
ter into  their  angry  feelings,  and  do  the  work 
which  they  have  undertaken.  Her  business  is, 
with  the  souls  of  men,  and  their  salvation;  and 
she  must  not  descend  into  this  arena,  which 
the  sins  and  follies  of  men  may  make  one  of 
blood.  Into  such  counsels  the  Church  must 
not  come.  Let  her  say  to  them,  as  Nehemiah 
said  to  Sanballat,  "  I  am  doing  a  great  work, 
so  that  I  cannot  come  down :  why  should  the 
work  cease,  whilst  I  leave  it,  and  come  down 
to  you?" 

Let  all  look  at  this  subject,  wisely,  calmly, 
and  prayerfully.    It  is  a  great  and  important 


238  LECTURE     IX. SLAVERY. 

subject,  which  bears  with  weight  upon  the  wel- 
fare of  our  beloved  country,  and  all  its  institu- 
tions; and  in  its  issues  will  deeply  affect  the 
glory  of  God,  and  the  best  interests  of  immor- 
tal *  souls.  Pray,  that  the  Divine  eye  may  be 
upon  it  for  good,  and  the  Divine  hand  direct  it 
to  a  happy  result. 


LECTURE    X. 

SPIRIT    OF    LAWLESSNESS. 

MATTHEW  XVI.  III. 
CAN  YE  NOT  DISCERN  THE  SIGNS  OF  THE  TIMES. 

The  last  "  sign  of  the  times,"  to  which  your  at- 
tention was  directed,  was  the  subject  of  "  Sla- 
very." My  object  was,  to  show  that  it  is  a 
subject  of  vast  magnitude  and  importance,  in- 
volving, to  an  inconceivable  extent,  the  dearest 
interests  of  our  beloved  country.  The  difficul- 
ties and  dangers  connected  with  it,  were  at- 
tempted to  be  illustrated,  by  the  number  of  the 
African  race,  free  and  in  bondage,  which  ex- 
isted in  our  country;  the  relation  in  which  the 
two  races,  who  dwell  together  in  our  land, 
stand  to  each  other;  the  constitutional  power- 
lessness  of  the  General  Government,  with  res- 
pect to  the  subject;  the  difficulties  connected 
with  emancipation,  arising  from  the  absolute 
control  of  so  many  independent  States  over  it; 
the  poverty,  ignorance,  and  helplessness  of  the 


240  LECTURE    X. 

African  race,  both  free  and  slaves;  and  the  at- 
titude in  which  portions  of  the  whites  stand  to 
each  other,  with  respect  to  the  subject  of  eman- 
cipation. From  the  state  of  the  case,  as  it  ex- 
isted, it  was  argued,  that  the  subject  should  be 
approached  with  a  great  deal  of  caution,  mode- 
ration, and  practical  wisdom,  which  was  the 
more  necessary,  because  evil  passions  had  al- 
ready been  engendered,  which,  if  not  season- 
ably checked,  might  kindle  a  fire  which  would 
destroy  some  of  the  dearest  interests  of  our 
highly  favoured  country,  and  prove  equally 
deleterious  to  the  welfare  of  all  concerned. 
And  especially,  that  we  should  commend  our 
beloved  country,  and  its  interests,  to  the  holy 
keeping  and  benediction  of  God,  and  seek  from 
him  that  wisdom  which  may  be  necessary  to 
guide  us  through  the  perplexities  and  dangers 
by  which  the  subject  is  surrounded.  Let  it  be 
deeply  impressed  upon  all  our  minds,  (I  would 
I  could  impress  it  upon  every  American  mind 
and  heart,)  that,  what  Jehovah  has  graciously 
bestowed  upon  us,  as  the  collected  wisdom  of 
the  fathers  of  our  country,  may  not  be  des- 
troyed by  the  folly,  madness,  or  wickedness  of 
a  few,  or,  even  of  an  individual.  The  erection 
of  a  splendid  edifice  would  require  the  wisdom 
of  many  and  noble  minds,  and  the  labour  of 
many  and  powerful  hands,  while  a  torch,  in  the 


SPIRIT    OF    LAWLESSNESS.  24 1 

hand  of  a  foolish  or  wicked  incendiary,  would 
suffice  to  reduce  it  to  ashes. 

All  the  dangers,  however,  by  which  our 
country  is  threatened,  are  not  bound  up  in 
this  single  subject.  The  times  present  to  our 
view  other  signs,  which  it  will  be  our  interest 
to  observe  and  study.  A  number  of  them 
have  already,  on  former  occasions,  been  called 
up.     The 

IX.  In  order,  and  which  will  this  evening 
claim  your  attention,  is — The  spirit  of  lawless- 
ness, which  has,  on  a  number  of  occasions, 
manifested  itself,  to  the  great  detriment  of  the 
community,  and  with  manifest  danger  to  our 
institutions.  If  there  be  a  country  on  earth, 
where  the  rigid  maintenance  of  law  and  order 
is  more  necessary  than  in  any  other,  ours  is 
that  country.  Such  is  our  state,  that  every 
thing  among  us  is  affected  by  public  senti- 
ment. 

We  have,  indeed,  an  admirable  Constitution. 
I  have  no  doubt,  that  a  benign  and  gracious 
Providence  watched  over,  and  directed  its  for- 
mation. The  fathers  of  that  instrument  had 
not  forgotten  the  vicissitudes  and  trials  of  the 
Revolution;  the  fervency  with  which  the  Di- 
vine protection  and  help  had  been  implored; 
and  the  many  interpositions  and  deliverances 
which   had   been    experienced,    in   seasons   of 

21 


242  LECTURE     X. 

deep  gloom  and  threatening  dangers,  and  felt 
anxious,  ere  they  should  be  called  away,  to 
remedy  the  defects  of  an  imperfect  confedera- 
tion, which  kept  us  together  by  the  force  of 
the  circumstances  of  danger  and  difficulty  in 
which  the  country  was  involved,  but  was  found 
to  be  totally  inadequate  to  keep  us  together,  so 
as  to  enable  us  to  repair  the  injuries  received  in 
the  Revolutionary  contest,  unite  us  as  one  peo- 
ple, and  form  us  into  a  harmonious  and  happy 
nation,  in  a  state  of  peace  and  prosperity. 
Hence  their  earnest,  and,  through  the  Divine 
blessing,  successful  endeavour,  at  so  early  a 
period,  to  form  the  Constitution,  under  which 
we  still  live.  Nor  was  it  a  work  of  easy  ac- 
complishment. There  were  many  interests  to 
be  consulted;  and  many  difficulties,  which,  at 
the  time,  were  feared  to  be  of  an  appalling  and 
almost  insuperable  nature,  to  be  overcome — 
and,  but  for  the  blessing  of  God  upon  the  exer- 
tions of  Washington  and  his  compeers,  who 
threw  the  whole  weight  of  their  characters,  as 
men  and  patriots,  with  all  the  love  and  grati- 
tude which  was  felt  for  them  on  account  of  their 
Revolutionary  services  and  sacrifices,  into  the 
scale,  would  probably  never  have  been  over- 
come. They  did,  however  succeed,  beyond 
their  own  most  sanguine  hopes,  and  have  left 
us  a  form  of  government  which,  while  it  has 


SPIRIT    OF    LAWLESSNESS.  243 

elicited  the  admiration  of  the  wise  and  good 
throughout  the  world,  has  eminently  promoted 
our  welfare  as  a  nation. 

This  Constitution  has  been  the  safeguard  of 
the  State  governments  which  existed  before  it, 
and  the  model  of  those  which  have  been  subse- 
quently formed.  And  not  only  so,  but  it  has 
given  direction  and  character  to  the  whole 
course  of  our  legislation  both  in  the  general 
and  State  governments.  The  consequence  has 
been,  that  the  general  character  of  our  legisla- 
tion has  been  wise  and  salutary,  adapted  to  the 
circumstances  of  the  people,  and  calculated  to 
promote  general  welfare  and  individual  happi- 
ness. And  just  as  long  as  the  people  desire 
such  legislation,  they  can  command  it — for  if 
their  representatives  should  enact  unconstitu- 
tional laws,  their  courts  can  so  declare  them, 
and  thus  render  them  inoperative,  or  the  peo- 
ple themselves  can  speedily  rectify  the  evil,  by 
choosing  other  representatives,  and  thus  pro- 
cure their  repeal,  before  any  lasting  or  wide 
spread  mischief  could  be  wrought.  The  peo- 
ple of  this  country,  have,  under  God,  not  only 
their  laws,  but  their  constitutions  also,  in  their 
own  power,  and  can  change  them  at  their 
pleasure.  So  that,  if  they  are  not  good  in 
themselves,  or  suited  to  their  circumstances, 
they  can  modify  or  change  them  in  any  way 


244  LECTURE    X. 

they  may  see  fit.  Under  these  ch'cumstances, 
our  constitutions  and  laws  will  be  types  of  the 
character  of  the  American  people.  If  our  civil 
and  political  institutions  are  not  what  they 
ought  to  be,  the  blame  must  rest  upon  our- 
selves. And  so  also  with  respect  to  their  ad- 
ministration, for  no  public  servant  can  hold  an 
office  long  against  the  will  of  the  people. 
Those  of  them  who  cannot  be  reached  by  the 
ballot  boxes,  may,  by  impeachment  or  indict- 
ment. No  man  can  hold  it  out  long  against 
public  sentiment. 

Let  it,  however,  be  observed,  and  constant- 
ly borne  in  mind,  that  the  administration  of 
the  whole  system  depends  on  that  sentiment. 
However  wise  and  good  our  constitutions  and 
laws,  and  however  able  and  upright  our  rulers 
in  every  department  of  trust,  the  execution  of 
law,  and  the  preservation  of  order,  will  depend 
on  the  will,  and  of  course  on  the  character,  of 
the  people.  This  is  more  strikingly  the  case 
in  our  country  than  in  any  other  on  earth. 
Here  the  people  are  their  own  supreme  law. 
The  whole  has,  under  God,  emanated  from 
them,  and  substantially,  it  periodically  reverts 
into  their  hands.  We  neither  have,  nor  can 
have,  a  European  police,  or  mercenary  soldiery, 
to  dragoon  the  disorderly  into  unwilling  sub- 
mission, or  coerce  the  execution  of  law  against 


SPIRIT    OF    LAWLESSNESS.         245 

the  popular  will.  The  people  themselves  must  be 
the  conservators  of  the  public  peace,  and  they 
are  themselves  essentially  the  executors  of  the 
law,  for  they  are  the  soldiers  of  the  Constitu- 
tion. Should  the  popular  mind,  therefore,  be- 
come sufficiently  perverted  to  tolerate  or  desire 
unwholesome  or  wicked  legislation,  or  to  hin- 
der the  execution  of  good  and  wholesome  laws, 
there  will  be  no  earthly  power  left  to  preserve 
social  order,  or  secure  the  public  welfare.  Un- 
der such  circumstances  there  would  be  less  se- 
curity than  if  both  the  makers  and  the  executors 
of  the  laws  were  corrupt  and  wicked — for  the 
bad  law  may  be  repealed,  and  the  wicked  pub- 
lic servant  may  be  displaced.  But  if  the  foun- 
tain itself  be  empoisoned,  who  will  heal  the 
streams  ?  "  If  the  foundations  be  destroyed, 
what  can  the  righteous  do  ?" 

We  must  be  governed  by  law,  or  not  at  all. 
Every  hinderance  to  the  due  administration  of 
the  law,  while  it  is  law,  and  every  perversion  of 
public  sentiment  which  leads  to  the  weaken- 
ing of  the  power  and  supremacy  of  the  law,  is  a 
prop  removed  from  under  the  edifice,  which 
endangers  its  safety,  by  weakening  its  strength. 
And  those  who  help  it  on  are  the  instruments 
or  abettors  of  all  the  disorder  and  loss  which 
may  be  suffered.  No  man  can,  with  propriety, 
be  esteemed  either  a  good  citizen,  or  a  patriot, 

21* 


246  LECTURE     X. 

much  less  a  Christian,  who  does  not  submit 
himself  to  the  laws  of  his  country  while  they 
are  in  force,  and  give  his  influence  to  maintain 
their  supremacy  and  execution.  Every  citizen 
owes  this  as  a  debt  to  his  country,  and  every 
good  citizen  will  cheerfully  pay  it,  as  well  "  for 
conscience,  as  for  wrath's  sake." 

We  may  be  aiders  and  abetters  of  lawless- 
ness and  disorder,  in  a  variety  of  ways.  We 
are  perhaps  too  much  in  the  habit  of  circum- 
scribing this  category.  The  openly  lawless 
and  disobedient,  who  regard  neither  God  nor 
man,  are  not  the  only  ones  who  belong  to  it. 
The  open  freebooter,  the  midnight  plunderer, 
and  the  petty  thief,  are  only  modifications  of 
the  principle  of  dishonesty.  So  the  open  mob- 
ist,  who  would  pull  your  house  down,  or  burn 
it  over  your  head ;  or  the  man  who  would  by 
violence  hinder  the  execution  of  the  law,  or 
who  would  make  and  execute  law  by  his  own 
authority,  under  the  pretence  that  its  penalty 
is  not  sufficiently  severe,  or  its  ordinary  execu- 
tion too  tardy,  are  only  modifications  of  law- 
lessness and  disorder.  The  judge  on  the 
bench  may  so  administer  the  law  as  to  weaken 
its  force,  and  he  cease  to  be  "  a  terror  to  evil 
doers."  Or  the  juror  in  the  box  may  nullify 
the  law,  by  refusing  to  render  a  verdict  of 
guilty   on   the   clearest   evidence,  because   he 


SPIRIT    OF    LAWLESSNESS.         247 

supposes  the  penalty  by  which  the  law  is 
sanctioned,  too  severe.  And  so  any  man  may 
become  an  enemy  of  law  and  order,  who,  al- 
though he  will  submit  himself  personally  to  its 
control,  yet  will  speak  lightly  of,  or  justify  the 
violations  of  which  others  are  guilty. 

Such  things  can  not  be  too  deeply  regretted, 
or  too  scrupulously  avoided,  in  a  country  like 
ours.  The  law  with  us  must  be  every  thing, 
or  it  will  be  nothing.  If  one  may  with  im- 
punity burn  up  a  house  of  infamy,  why  may 
not  another  apply  the  torch  to  that  of  a  hated 
neighbour.  The  same  spirit  which  influenced 
the  mob  of  New  York  to  break  open  a  flour 
store  and  scatter  its  contents  to  the  winds, 
might  influence  another  lawless  multitude  to 
break  into  your  banks,  and  rifle  them.  And  if 
a  whole  community  could  stand  by  and  witness 
the  voluntary  conflagration  of  an  edifice,  with 
the  erection  and  use  of  which  they  were  dis- 
pleased, without  moving  a  hand  to  save  it,  or 
bring  the  agents  to  punishment,  who  will  gua- 
ranty the  safety  of  our  churches,  against  the  ene-J 
mies  of  religion,  when  their  passions  become  ex- 
cited against  it  ?  Mobs  are  not  choice  of  the  ob- 
jects of  their  attack.  If  they  could  arrest  with 
their  own  private  hands,  and  try  by  the  laws  of 
their  own  minds,  and  then  execute  by  their 
own  authority  the  wretched  gamblers  at  Vicks- 


248  LECTURE     X. 

burg,  they  could,  with  perhaps,  as  little  com- 
punction, and  with  the  same  impunity,  shoot 
down  a  minister  of  the  Gospel  at  Alton.  True, 
he  was  an  imprudent,  perhaps  a  deluded  man, 
but  still  a  minister  of  the  Gospel,  an  American 
citizen,  and  on  every  account  entitled  to  the 
protection  of  the  laws  of  his  country,  and  to 
penalties,  only  as  the  laws  should  adjudge  and 
inflict  them. 

It  is  one  of  the  evils  of  this  spirit  that  it  is 
lawless.  No  man  can  feel  himself  safe,  even 
when  he  is  obeying,  in  all  good  conscience, 
every  law  of  his  country.  He  may  at  the  very 
time  be  committing  some  mortal  offence,  for 
which  he  may  be  called  to  answer  with  his  life 
to  the  next  collection  of  his  fellow  creatures  he 
may  chance  to  meet  in  the  streets.  Another 
evil  is,  that  it  makes  the  unruly  and  excited 
passions  of  men  the  judges  of  right  and  wrong, 
and  these  are  commonly  not  only  unjust,  but 
cruel  and  malignant.  They  almost  always  ex- 
act more  than  is  just,  for  passion  views  every 
thing  through  a  perverted  and  false  medium. 
Need  I  add,  as  one  of  the  evils  which  flow  from  it, 
the  loss  of  that  delightful  security  which  a  man 
feels  in  every  well  regulated  community,  that 
his  property,  his  reputation,  his  family,  and  his 
life,  are  all  safe  under  the  protection  of  law,  and 
that  he  can  sit  in  peace  under  his  own  vine  and 


SPIRIT     OF     LAWLESSNESS.  249 

fig-tree,  without  any  to  molest  or  make  afraid. 
How  wretched  must  that  land  be,  when  its  in- 
habitants feel  that  all  they  have  is  at  the  mercy 
of  lawless  violence ;  who,  when  they  retire  in 
the  evenino;,  are  obliojed  to  fear  that  the  torch 
of  the  incendiary  may  be  applied  to  their  dwel- 
ling before  the  morning  dawns ;  or  when  they 
walk  forth  into  the  street,  are  obliged  to  be 
afraid  lest  the  next  person  they  shall  meet,  may 
prove  to  be  an  assassin ! 

It  was  a  sad  day  in  the  land  of  Israel  when 
the  following  record  characterized  its  state. 
"  In  those  days  there  was  no  king  in  Israel,  but 
every  man  did  that  which  was  right  in  his  own 
eyes."  You  may  read  an  account  of  the  fruit 
of  this  lawless  state  in  the  17th,  18th,  20th,  and 
21st  chapters  of  the  book  of  Judges.  It  came 
very  near  the  entire  destruction  of  one  of  the 
tribes  of  Israel.  But  when  did  this  spirit  ever 
work  any  thing  but  evil  ? 

Perhaps  it  was  never  more  strikingly  exhibi- 
ted and  fully  illustrated  than  during  the  former 
years  of  the  French  Revolution.  Then  anarchy 
sat  enthroned  in  the  Jacobin  Club  of  Paris,  di- 
rected or  controlled  the  deliberations  and  acts 
of  the  constituent  and  national  assembHes, 
roused  and  pushed  forward  the  mob  of  that 
great  city  in  its  march  of  rapine  and  blood,  sent 
forth  its  decrees  to  its  affiliated  clubs  through- 


250  LECTURE       X. 

out  the  nation,  changed  the  French  people  into 
a  nation  of  blood-hounds  and  tigers,  subverted 
all  law  and  order,  laid  the  foundation  of  Napo- 
leon's iron  despotism,  and  poured  itself  upon 
Europe  like  a  stream  of  burning  lava.  The 
habits  of  ages,  the  long-cherished  respect  of 
that  people  for  the  altar  and  the  throne,  and  the 
resistance  of  a  brave  mercenary  soldiery,  all 
gave  vi^ay  before  its  resistless  march  as  things 
of  naught.  Even  Napoleon  could  not  stem  it 
till  it  had  spent  its  force,  butchered  the  great 
mass  of  its  own  children,  and  an  exhausted,  and 
well  nigh  ruined  nation,  felt  that  it  would  be  a 
blessed  relief  from  such  a  state,  to  lie  powerless 
on  the  bosom  of  a  mihtary  despotism.  Give  us 
any  thing,  said  the  French  people,  but  a  state 
of  lawlessness  and  anarchy  !  In  the  compari- 
son, even  the  continual  wars  of  the  Emperor, 
although  they  cost  millions  of  hves,  the  lives  of 
the  elite  of  the  empire,  were  preferred,  not  only 
because  they  were  connected  with  foreign  con- 
quest and  military  glory,  but  they  had  peace, 
and  in  general,  security  of  property  and  life  at 
home. 

How  great  then  would  be  the  sacrifice  of  the 
American  people,  to  give  up  the  reign  of  law 
and  order,  with  all  their  blessed  fruits,  for  law- 
lessness and  confusion !  What  could  possibly 
compensate  us  for  the  loss  ?    The  liberty  which 


SPIRIT     OP     LAWLESSNESS.         251 

is  irrespective  of  law  and  order  is  "  a  chimera 
dire."     It   exists   not   as   a  blessing   either  in 
heaven  above,  or  in  the  earth  beneath,  or  in  the 
dark    regions    of  the    damned.     My    hearers, 
"  order  is  Heaven's  first  law,"  and  its  violation 
is  rarely,  if  ever,  suffered  to  pass  with  impunity. 
The  undue  indulgence  of  our  appetites  is  incon- 
sistent with  bodily  comfort  or  health.  A  penalty 
is  exacted  for  every  act  of  excess.     The  indul- 
gence of  our  passions  always  affects  our  minds 
unhappily.     When  God  made  man   upon    the 
earth,  he  at   once   subjected   him  to  law.     In 
making   him   a   social    being,  he  provided  by 
suitable  enactments  for  his  social  relations,  be- 
ginning with  the  family,  and  carrying  it  through 
the  ramifications  of  society  and  life.     Look  at 
the  divine  code  in  the  second  table  of  the  Law, 
and  see  how  admirably  it  is  adapted  to  man  as 
a  social  being.     The  family  is  the  first  society, 
and  the  parents  constitute  the  natural  headship. 
Look  how  kindly  he  has  provided  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  head,  the  subjection  of  the  members, 
and  the  order  and  comfort  of  the  whole  circle ! 
"  Honour  thy  father  and  thy  mother,  that  thy 
days  may  be  long  upon  the  land  which  the  Lord 
thy  God  giveth  thee."     What  is  a  family  with- 
out the  practical  influence  of  this  wise  and  holy 
precept  ?  And  for  what  society  are  men  fit  who 
have  been  trained  without  any  regard   to  it? 


252  LECTURE      X. 

In  this  divine  precept  God  himself  has  laid  the 
deep,  and  broad,  and  strong  foundations  of  so- 
cial order  and  happiness.  This  is  the  grand 
social  compact  of  our  race,  enacted  and  reveal- 
ed by  God  himself,  long  before  Solon,  or  Lycur- 
gus,  or  Justinian,  or  Hampden,  or  Sydney,  or 
the  fathers  of  our  own  happy  institutions,  lived 
or  taught.  My  hearers,  the  fire,  the  holy  fire, 
came  down  from  God  out  of  heaven.  Foolish 
and  wicked  men  borrowed  or  stole  the  sacred 
fire  from  off  his  altar,  and  then  refused  to  ac- 
knowledge the  obligation.  For  what  good  and 
perfect  gifts  are  we  not  indebted  to  the  Father 
of  lights  ? 

And  how  wisely  and  benignly  is  this  "  first 
commandment  with  promise"  followed  up  by 
others,  having  respect  to  the  same  relations,  and 
calculated  to  secure  order  and  comfort?  By 
the  first  which  follows,  he  cast  about  human 
life  the  safeguard  of  the  divine  protection — 
"  Thou  shalt  not  kill."  By  the  second,  he  pro- 
tects the  purity,  and  peace,  and  comfort  of  the 
domestic  circle — "  Thou  shalt  not  commit  adul- 
tery." By  the  third,  he  makes  the  fruit  of  a 
man's  labour  available  to  the  support  and  com- 
fort of  himself  and  his  family,  while  at  the  same 
time  the  rights  of  all  others  are  equally  guard- 
ed—"Thou  shalt  not  steal."  By  the  fourth, 
truth,  the  foundation  of  confidence,  and  the  se- 


SPIRIT     OF     LAWLESSNESS.  253 

curity  of  justice  and  right,  is  established — 
"  Thou  shalt  not  bear  false  witness  against  thy 
neighbour."  And  the  last  is  designed  to  kill 
in  the  bud,  to  strangle  in  the  birth,  the  dishon- 
esty, and  fraud,  and  violence,  by  which  indi- 
viduals and  communities  seek  to  aggrandize 
themselves  at  the  expense  of  others,  by  forbid- 
ding the  sin  of  covetousness,  which  is  never 
satisfied  with  what  it  possesses,  is  grieved  at 
the  prosperity  of  others,  desires  every  thing 
which  it  sees,  and  gra-sps  at  every  thing  which 
it  desires.  Thus  has  God,  who  is  a  God  of  or- 
der, and  not  of  confusion,  established  a  system 
for  the  government  of  our  race,  admirably  cal- 
culated not  only  to  promote  the  divine  glory, 
and  bind  man  by  the  strongest  bonds  of  allegi- 
ance to  his  Maker,  but  to  regulate  in  the  happi- 
est manner  his  social  relations  and  duties,  so  as 
to  make  them  productive  of  individual  happiness 
and  general  good. 

These  principles  are  essential,  not  only  to 
the  well-being,  but  to  the  very  existence  of  so- 
ciety. The  wild  Arab — the  wandering  son  of 
Ishmael,  whose  home  is  in  the  dreary  desert, 
"  whose  hand  is  against  every  man,  and  every 
man's  hand  against  him,"  is  still  not  without 
law  to  himself,  or  his  fellows.  It  is  not  writ- 
ten on  parchment,  nor  printed  in  a  book,  nor 
engraven  on  stone  or  metal.    But  still,  it  is  his 

22 


254 


LECTURE    X 


law,  and   he  governs  himself  by  it;    and  his 
rights  and  enjoyments,  be  they  many  or  few, 
be  they  great  or  small,  are  protected  and  se- 
cured.    And  were  it  not  so,  he  would  soon  be 
as  lone  as  wild.    Even  robbers,  who  are  banded 
together   for  spoil,  and   live   in   the   constant 
breach  of  the  laws  of  their  country,  have  their 
own  laws  and  officers,  to  which  they  render 
obedience.     There  is  law,  as  well  as  "honour 
among  thieves."      All    society  must   have  its 
bonds;  and  these  bonds  must  be  suited  to  the 
state  of  that  society,  in   order  to  ensure  its 
welfare.      When   population  is  dense,   active, 
and  refined,  intercourse  frequent,  mutual  inter- 
ests many  and  important,  it  will  not  only  re- 
quire many  laws  to  regulate  its  concerns,  but 
the  most  strict  and  orderly  observance  of  them, 
or  constant  collision  will  be  the  consequence. 
This  will  especially  be  the  case,  where  both 
the  enactment  and  execution  of  the  law  are  in 
the  hands  of  the  society  itself;    or,  in  other 
words,   dependent   on  public   sentiment.      All 
communities,  and  especially  those  who  possess 
free  institutions,  have  an  interest  in  the  preser- 
vation of  law  and  order,  in  the  exact  propor- 
tion of  the   immunities  and   privileges  which 
they  enjoy  under  them.     Let  the  sacred  shield 
of  law  be  once  removed  from  over  their  heads, 
and  what  is  to  secure  them  in  the  enjoyment  of 


SPIRIT    OF    LAWLESSNESS.  255 

them?  This  is  eminently  the  case,  as  has  al- 
ready been  remarked,  in  our  own  country. 
The  law  is,  under  God,  the  palladium  of  our 
rights,  and  of  our  enjoyments.  When  the 
laws  shall  die,  or  be  reduced  to  silence,  our 
liberties  will  die,  and  so  will  our  prosperity, 
our  national  and  individual  happiness,  and  our 
religion — all  our  dearest  interests  and  hopes. 

And  are  we  in  no  danger?  Have  the  whole 
body  of  the  American  people  that  high  and 
sacred  regard  for  law  and  order,  which  their 
supreme  importance  demands  from  a  people 
who  profess  to  be,  and  should  be,  jealous  of 
every  encroachment  and  danger  which  may 
threaten  the  integrity,  and  permanency  of  our 
free  and  happy  institutions — and  the  free  ope- 
ration of  our  equal  and  wholesome  laws,  which 
award  to  every  man  his  inestimable  rights  and 
privileges?  Is  their  language,  touch  these,  and 
you  touch  the  apple  of  mine  eye?  Do  they 
feel  all  that  fear,  and  exercise  all  that  vigi- 
lance, which  a  subject  of  such  dread  impor- 
tance demands  at  their  hands? 

Alas !  that  the  "  signs  of  the  times"  should 
oblige  us  to  answer  these  interrogatories  in  the 
negative!  There  are  too  many  proofs  of  the 
existence,  not  only,  but  of  the  tolerance  of  this 
evil.  Do  you  ask,  where  are  they  to  be  found? 
and  of  what  they  do  consist  ?     Are  there  not 


256  LECTURE     X. 

thousands  of  the  American  people,  who  go 
continually  armed  with  pistol,  dirk,  or  Bowie- 
knife?  not  only  on  journies,  and  when  they 
may  perhaps  be  thought  necessary  to  guard 
property,  but  every  where,  and  on  all  occa- 
sions. That  they  are  not  carried  out  of  mere 
show  or  fashion,  is  manifest  from  the  fact  that 
they  are  often  used,  and  used  to  deadly  pur- 
pose; not  only  in  defence,  but  in  offence.  The 
victims  may  be  counted  by  hundreds.  Do  they 
go  armed  in  vain?  Do  they  not  intend  to  as- 
sault, or  expect  to  be  assaulted?  If  this  be 
not  a  crying  evil,  why  has  the  subject  been 
agitated  in  legislative  halls,  and,  in  some  in- 
stances, given  rise  to  legal  enactments,  with 
high  penalties?  Can  a  spirit  be  more  law- 
less than  this?  Here  is  a  private  citizen,  who 
not  only  forms  a  definite  opinion  concerning 
all  private  offences,  but  sits  as  judge  in  his 
own  case,  and,  for  an  offence  so  slight  that 
the  eye  of  the  law  cannot  discern  it,  breaks 
the  peace  of  society,  takes  the  life  of  a  fellow 
creature,  and  sends  an  immortal  soul  to  the 
judgment,  without  time  or  ability  to  shed  a 
tear  of  penitence,  or  an  opportunity  to  apply 
for  mercy,  through  the  blood  of  atonement. 
The  law  condemns  it  as  a  heinous  crime :  And 
what  comes  of  it?  A  brief  inquiry — perhaps 
a  recognisance — and,  almost  invariably,  an  ac- 


SPIRIT    OF    LAWLESSNESS.  257 

quittal.  Could  these  things  be,  and  pubUc  sen- 
timent not  justify  them?  Is  this  lawlessness, 
or  is  it  not?  Does  it  endanger  our  institutions, 
or  does  it  not?  What  if  all  were  thus  to  arm 
themselves?  I  tremble  for  my  country.  If 
any  of  you,  my  hearers,  carry  about  with  you 
these  instruments  of  death,  disencumber  your- 
selves of  them  at  once,  and  forever — for  you 
may  be  bearing  about  with  you  the  instrument 
of  a  double  destruction,  the  very  temptation 
by  which  you  may  be  luring  your  own  soul 
to  the  pit. 

Another  proof  that  a  lawless  spirit  is  abroad 
in  the  land,  is  found  in  the  practice  of  duelling; 
a  practice  w^hich  nothing  can  justify  or  palliate. 
It  is  anti-social,  barbarous,  unjust,  cruel,  re- 
vengeful, and  at  war  with  every  principle  of 
law,  human  and  divine,  which  regards  the  hfe 
of  man.  Many  have  been  its  victims,  sad  its 
results.  It  made  Alexander  Hamilton  a  fool, 
and  Aaron  Burr  a  murderer,  a  wandering  va- 
gabond in  the  earth.  O,  how  must  he  have  felt 
when  he  wrote,  what  I  have  myself  read  in  his 
own  hand-writing:  "Since  that  sad  event,  by 
which  I  have  severed  myself  from  all  mankind, 
I  have  been  alike  incapable  of  giving  or  re- 
ceiving consolation!"  Perhaps  enough  has 
been  said  on  the  melancholy  subject  on  a  for- 
mer occasion.     Many  practice  it — more  justify 

22* 


258  LECTURE    X. 

it — and  more  still  tolerate  it; — and  therefore, 
lawless  as  it  is,  and  dangerous  to  our  institu- 
tions, the  more  is  it  to  be  deprecated.  Let  me 
beseech  those,  if  any  such  be  present,  who  are 
in  danger  of  being  tempted  to  sacrifice  to  this 
bloody  Moloch,  to  pause  while  the  yawning  gulf 
is  still  at  a  distance,  ere  they  make  the  fatal 
plunge,  and  reflect  on  the  language  of  Aaron 
Burr,  and  look  to  the  judgment  seat  of  Jesus 
Christ ! 

Need  I  add,  that  mobs  are  awful  proofs  of 
lawlessness  and  disorder  wherever  they  exist, 
and  for  whatever  purposes  they  may  be  gotten 
up.  As  nothing  can  justify  them,  so  nothing 
should  ever  induce  a  member  of  any  American 
community  to  engage  in  them,  or  speak  well 
of  them.  If  they  are  ever  made  the  means  of 
rectifying  one  abuse,  they  occasion  many.  If 
they  are  ever  brought  to  bear  for  the  punish- 
ment of  one  crime,  they  have  been  the  fruitful 
source  of  thousands.  They  who  use  them,  put 
firebrands  into  the  hands  of  madmen,  and  may 
kindle  a  conflagration  which  may  burn  till  it 
shall  have  consumed  every  pleasant,  good,  or 
holy  thing  within  its  destructive  range.  Mobs 
have  neither  understandings  nor  hearts.  They 
are  all  passion  and  fury — and  if  there  be  any 
exception  to  the  rule,  it  is  so  much  the  worse, 
for  it  denotes  the  absence  of  all  good  principle. 


SPIRIT    OF    LAWLESSNESS.  259 

Let  that  man  tremble,  who  can  find  it  in  his 
heart  to  justify  a  mob  for  doing  what  may  be 
confessedly  good,  if  it  had  been  lawfully  done ; 
for,  upon  his  own  principles,  he  stands  exposed 
to  retribution  in  kind,  be  it  never  so  unrighte- 
ous, and  the  justification  of  the  wicked  man 
will  be,  I  was  only  following  in  the  track  of 
your  lawless  example,  having  as  perfect  a  right 
to  be  my  own  judge  and  executioner  as  your- 
self. Against  you,  at  all  events,  the  plea  would 
be  perfectly  conclusive.  The  fact  is,  mobs  are 
always,  and  necessarily,  unlawful  and  lawless, 
and  therefore  wicked.  It  is  an  established 
maxim  in  all  law,  divine  as  well  as  human,  that 
the  end  cannot  justify  the  means ;  so  that  he 
who  does  evil  that  good  may  come,  is  justly 
condemned. 

Unhappily  for  us,  these  lawless  and  danger- 
ous combinations  have  become  too  common  in 
our  land,  and  are  therefore  the  more  deeply 
and  fervently  to  be  deprecated.  The  more 
numerous  they  are,  the  greater  is  the  danger 
that  they  may  supersede  all  law,  and  vacate  all  j 
order.  Our  institutions  will  not  long  bear  them. 
Woe  betide  us  when  mobs  become  the  panacea 
for  our  moral  or  political  disorders.  If  a  re- 
medy at  all,  they  are  a  desperate  remedy  for 
any  disorder  which  is  not  in  its  own  nature 
mortal.     They  have  already  been  the  fruitful 


260  LECTURE     X. 

source  of  many  evils,  and  if  no  remedy  of  suffi- 
cient virtue  be  found  and  applied,  the  time  may 
come,  may  the  Lord  avert  it,  when  the  best 
disposed  and  most  virtuous  of  the  citizens  of 
our  now  free  and  happy  land,  may  find  the  iron 
sceptre  of  some  home-bred  Napoleon  a  relief 
from  the  tyranny,  anarchy,  and  destructive 
power  of  mobs.  The  phrase,  "any  law, 
rather  than  mob  law,"  has  well  nigh  the  sen- 
tentiousness  and  force  of  a  maxim.  Under 
such  a  rule,  or  rather  misrule,  what  interest  or 
comfort  is  secure  ?  If  a  mob  demolished  the 
Bastile,  a  prison  of  State,  it  has  also  demolished 
many  a  Christian  temple.  If  it  has  dethroned 
a  few  tyrants,  it  has  raised  up  many.  I  may 
be  too  apprehensive  on  the  subject,  God  grant 
it  may  be  found  so,  but  I  am  fearful  of  their 
multiplication  and  influence. 

The  exciting  causes  of  the  spirit  of  misrule, 
seem  to  me  to  be  numerous  and  various.  I  do 
not  design,  however,  at  this  late  hour,  to  go 
into  any  lengthened  detail  on  the  subject. 
Among  these,  I  think,  may  be  set  dow^n  as  one, 
the  very  exuberance  of  our  freedom.  Our  in- 
stitutions impose  so  little  restraint  upon  us  that 
we  scarcely  feel  it,  and  consequently,  on  the 
one  hand,  are  very  much  disposed  to  act  as  if 
there  were  none ;  and  on  the  other  hand,  when 
the  yoke  presses  a  little,  to  feel  restive  and  un- 


SPIRIT     OF     LAWLESSNESS.  261 

easy  under  it,  and  desirous  of  shaking  it  off 
entirely.  Then  again,  the  spirit  of  freedom  is 
apt  to  beget  the  spirit  of  pride.  Such  is  the 
majesty  of  freedom,  that  the  simple  citizen  feels 
himself  to  be  a  kind  of  little  king  in  his  sphere, 
and  as  the  king  can  do  no  wrong,  he  feels  very 
much  disposed  to  act  as  he  pleases  in  all 
things. 

Nor  do  I  doubt,  that  one  cause  may  be  found 
in  the  exciting  manner  in  which  the  subject  of 
politics  is  frequently  brought  to  bear  on  a  por- 
tion of  community.  Every  thing  is  seen 
through  a  distorted  medium,  and  therefore,  is 
not  seen  in  its  true  character  and  just  propor- 
tions. Political  opponents  are  rarely  allowed 
to  be  good  men,  or  to  possess  any  estimable 
qualities.  Invidious  distinctions  are  made,  and 
the  parties  excited  against  each  other,  as 
though  they  were  natural  and  irreconcilable 
enemies.  Nor  are  appeals  to  the  worst  pas- 
sions of  our  nature,  and  the  baset  motives  by 
which  the  hearts  of  men  can  be  influenced,  un- 
common. I  am  speaking  of  no  party;  but  of 
what  causes  the  wise  and  good  of  all  parties  to 
feel  great  heaviness  of  heart,  and  to  be  exer- 
cised by  awful  apprehensions  for  their  country. 
I  refer  to  the  politician  by  trade,  who  panders 
to  the  worst  passions  of  men,  and  lives  upon 
the  public  spoils.     These  set  the  ball  in  mo- 


262  L  E  C  T  U  R  E    X . 

tion,  and  it  may  well  be,  that  wiser  and  bet- 
ter men  may  be  unable  to  arrest  its  course. 
These  kindle  a  fire,  which,  if  it  continue  and 
spread,  a  flood  may  not  suffice  to  quench. 
Here  is  one  of  the  dangers  which,  while  it  too 
frequently  disturbs  our  peace  and  order,  en- 
dangers the  ultimate  safety  of  our  institutions. 
Who  will  stem  this  flood  for  us?  who  guide  the 
vessel  through  this  narrow,  dangerous  strait? 

But  finally:  The  cause  of  causes  may  be 
found  in  the  absence  of  a  deep,  settled  con- 
viction, that  God  has  laid  the  foundation  of  so- 
cial order,  and  of  society  itself,  in  the  fifth  pre- 
cept of  the  Decalogue,  connected  with  its  prac- 
tical influence,  arising  from  early  moral  train- 
ing and  discipline.  This  is  the  precept:  "Ho- 
nour thy  father  and  thy  mother,  that  thy  days 
may  be  long  in  the  land  which  the  Lord  thy 
God  giveth  thee,"  I  have  already  remarked, 
in  another  part  of  this  discourse,  that  this  is 
the  foundation  which  God  has  laid  for  the  so- 
cial edifice,  and,  that  nothing  but  its  principles 
can  bind  its  parts  together.  It  unfortunately 
happens,  that  comparatively  few  in  our  country 
build  on  this  foundation,  or  adopt  its  principle. 
Even  if  the  attention  of  the  child  or  youth  be 
directed  to  it,  how  rarely  does  the  parent  ex- 
pand it,  and  apply  its  principle,  as  of  Divine 
authority,  to  the  relations  of  society  and  civil 


SPIRIT    OF    LAWLESSNESS.  263 

government!  and  perhaps  more  rarely  still,  in- 
sist upon  its  practical  application  in  the  do- 
mestic circle,  particularly  as  a  divine  enact- 
ment, which  binds  the  conscience,  as  well  as 
directs  the  life. 

Few  of  our  American  youth  enter  upon  the 
stage  of  action,  and  assume  the  civil  and  po- 
litical relations,  fully  indoctrinated  in  the  prin- 
ciples of  this  precept,  and  already  habituated 
to  the  practice  which  it  inculcates,  and,  conse- 
quently, not  fully  able  to  appreciate  the  su- 
preme importance  of  law  and  order  to  the  be- 
ing, and  well  being  of  society.  Let  the  whole 
mass  of  the  young  be  thus  trained,  and  you 
would  have  a  society  as  stable  as  the  everlast- 
ing hills;  for,  says  the  Lord,  "  Train  up  a  child 
in  the  way  he  should  go,  and  when  he  is  old, 
he  will  not  depart  from  it." 

This,  is  the  conclusion  of  the  whole  mattef. 
There  is  a  tendency,  in  our  whole  civil  and  po- 
litical system,  to  deterioration,  administered,  as 
it  must  necessarily  be,  by  sinful,  selfish  man, 
for  the  government  of  those  like  himself.  We 
already  reap  some  of  its  bitter  fruits,  and  are 
in  danger  of  reaping  more.  The  principles  of 
the  divine  law  lay  the  only  solid  foundation  for 
permanent  and  happy  civil  institutions,  especial- 
ly those  which  contain  most  of  the  principles 
of  civil  hberty  and  self-government;  and,  that 


264  LECTURE    X. 

they  can  be  maintained  in  that  health  and 
vigour  which  will  make  them  productive  of 
the  greatest  good,  only  by  a  large  infusion  of 
that  holiness  which  exalteth  a  nation.  And, 
that  it  is  the  wisdom  and  the  duty  of  the 
American  people,  to  cultivate  those  principles 
which,  through  the  Divine  blessing,  may  give 
the  greatest  permanency  and  efficiency  to  our 
happy  institutions,  and  make  them  blessings  to 
the  latest  posterity.  May  God,  of  infinite 
mercy,  conduct  to  such  results;  and  to  his 
name,  in  Christ,  shall  be  all  the  praise  for  ever. 


LECTURE    XI. 

DEALINGS    OF    PROVIDENCE. 

MATTHEW  XVI.  III. 

CAN  YE  NOT  DISCERN  THE  SIGNS  OF   THE  TIMES. 

The  last  "sign  of  the  times"  to  which  your 
attention  was  directed,  was — "That  spirit  of 
lawlessness  which  has,  for  a  number  of  years, 
from  time  to  time,  broken  out,  and  endangered 
or  disturbed  the  peace  of  the  community." 
The  importance  of  law  and  order  to  the  welfare 
of  a  country,  where  the  very  execution  of  the 
law  depends  upon  public  sentiment,  was  endea- 
voured to  be  established  and  enforced.  The  in- 
consistency of  duelling;  the  wearing,  and  use 
of  deadly  weapons  by  individuals;  and  the  ac- 
tion of  mobs,  with  the  peace  and  welfare  of 
society,  were  particularly  insisted  on,  because 
they  raise  the  will  and  passions  of  individuals 
above  the  law  of  the  land,  involving  the  mon- 
strous injustice  of  making  every  man  his  own 
lawgiver,  judge,  and  executioner,  however  dis- 

23 


266  LECTURE    XI. 

qualified  by  ignorance,  self-interest,  or  pas- 
sion. A  number  of  remarks  were  also  made, 
on  the  fact,  that  God  had  formed  our  race 
with  social,  as  well  as  intelligent  natures;  and 
that,  while  he  had  thus  fitted  us  to  dwell  to- 
gether in  communities,  he  had  enacted  a  law 
which  was  admirably  calculated  to  regulate 
our  social  relations,  and  make  them  productive 
of  general  and  individual  happiness.  This  was 
attempted  to  be  illustrated,  by  the  second  table 
of  the  Decalogue;  in  which  it  was  supposed 
that  God  had  laid  the  foundation  of  all  civil 
government  in  the  family,  by  clothing  the  pa- 
rents with  all  the  necessary  authority  to  exer- 
cise government,  and  laid  the  child  under  mo- 
ral obligation,  not  only  to  submit  to  that  autho- 
rity when  it  should  exact  obedience,  but  to 
hold  it  in  such  honour  as  to  make  that  obedi- 
ence easy  and  pleasant.  This,  it  was  shown, 
would  form  the  young  to  habits  of  order  and 
obedience  to  law,  and  lay  a  solid  foundation 
for  the  peace  and  order  of  larger  communities. 
The  connexion  of  the  remaining  precepts  of 
the  Decalogue,  was  also  exhibited,  as  illustra- 
ting the  interest  which  the  Lord  takes  in  the 
welfare  of  our  race.  There  might  have  been 
added,  the  happy  influence  of  true  religion,  in 
establishing  and  confirming  the  order  and  hap- 
piness of  society,  for,  whatever  binds  man  in 


DEALINGS    OF    PROVIDENCE.  267 

allegiance  to  God,  will  make  him  willingly  and 
conscientiously  subject  to  every  ordinance  of 
man  for  the  Lord's  sake. 

The  great  object  had  in  view,  in  the  whole 
discussion,  was,  to  show  how  utterly  inconsist- 
ent a  spirit  of  lawlessness  and  disorder  was 
with  the  stability  of  our  institutions,  and  the 
prosperity  and  happiness  of  our  country.  Nor 
are  we  alone  involved  in  the  issue.  A  grand 
experiment  on  free  institutions  is  performing  in 
this  western  world,  under  fairer  auspices  than 
have  ever  before  existed,  and  the  eyes  of  the 
world  are  directed  to  us.  If  we  fail,  as  fail 
we  must,  if  our  liberty  becomes  licentiousness, 
the  hand  on  the  dial  will  go  many  degrees 
backward,  and  the  renovation  of  the  civil  insti- 
tutions of  the  world,  be  long,  if  not  indefinitely 
postponed.  Shall  we  bring  this  guilt  upon 
ourselves?  and  this  blighting  upon  the  world's 
hopes?  We  shall,  most  assuredly,  if  we  prove 
an  irreligious  and  lawless  people.  It  may  per- 
haps be  profitable,  if  we  now  turn  our  atten- 
tion, as  the 

X.  Sign  of  the  times,  to  the  nature  and  de- 
sign of  some  of  the  dealings  of  Providence  with 
us  as  a  nation^  for  a  few  years  past. 

I  trust  a  review  of  some  of  the  divine  dispen- 
sations towards  our  country  may  be  both  inte- 
resting and  instructive.     The  age  in  which  we 


268  LECTURE    XI. 

live,  the  state  of  the  world,  the  character  of  our 
population  and  institutions,  the  position  which 
we  occupy  among  the  nations  of  the  earth,  the 
attention  which  is  fixed  upon  us,  and  the  proba- 
ble influence  which  we  shall  exercise  on  the  des- 
tinies of  the  world,  render  it  very  probable 
that  God's  dealings  with  us  partake  of  a  highly 
interesting  and  special  character.  And  if  so, 
they  may  well  be  studied  with  deep  attention 
and  thrilling  interest. 

Those  of  my  hearers  who  have  honoured  me 
with  their  attention  from  month  to  month  while 
attempting  to  illustrate  and  improve  "  the 
signs  of  the  times,"  will  recollect  that  our  be- 
loved country  has  been  frequently  spoken  of  as 
peculiarly  favoured  and  blessed  of  God.  This 
is  true  with  respect  to  the  whole  range  of  our 
history.  The  study  of  it  would  be  calculated  to 
improve  both  the  minds  and  the  hearts  of  those 
who  should  regard  it  as  connected  with  the  mo- 
ral government  of  God.  And  in  this  light  it 
should  be  regarded,  for  God  is  the  Governor 
among  the  nations.  The  range  which  I  pur- 
pose to  take  is  not  of  this  extended  character. 
It  is  comprehended  within  the  circle  of  a  few 
years.  But  the  events  are  neither  few,  nor 
small,  nor  unimportant;  and  if  some  of  them  are 
not  recalled  to  the  mind  by  a  simple  reference, 
even  without  naming  them,  it  is  a  sure  sign  that 


DEALINGS     OF     PROVIDENCE.        269 

we  have  not  been  suitably  affected  by  them. 
This  alone  would  be  a  good  reason  to  call  them 
up  again,  form  them  into  a  group,  direct  atten- 
tion to  them,  give  them  a  more  permanent  place 
in  the  mind,  and  endeavour  to  derive  from  them 
the  practical  instruction  which  they  are  calcu- 
lated to  afford.  My  observations  shall  be  con- 
fined to  the  events  of  the  last  seven  years.  I 
commence  with  the  year  1832. 

A  disease  which  has  received  the  name  of 
"  The  Asiatic  Cholera,"  has  for  a  long  time 
been  known  and  dreaded  in  the  East  Indies. 
Its  range  has  there  been  wide  and  destructive. 
It  was  supposed  to  be  peculiar  to  that  climate. 
A  few  years  before  the  time  I  have  named,  it 
began  to  take  its  course  westward  through  the 
interior  of  Asia  until  it  reached  the  confines  of 
the  Russian  empire,  and  marched  on,  contrary 
to  all  expectation,  through  a  high  northern  lati- 
tude and  cold  climate,  and  entered  Europe;  and, 
with  various  degrees  of  violence  and  destruc- 
tiveness,  passed  through  its  various  countries 
and  chmates.  In  1831,  perhaps  not  before  the 
early  part  of  1832,  it  reached  England,  and 
soon  after,  France.  We  heard  of  it,  and  some 
slight  degree  of  alarm  was  excited.  Still,  our 
country  was  a  healthy  one,  the  broad  Atlantic 
rolled  its  waves  between  us  and  Europe,  it  was 
not  believed  to  be  contagious,  it  had  never  been 

23* 


270  LECTURE    XI. 

known  to  overleap  such  a  barrier  as  the  Atlan- 
tic ocean,  and  a  good  degree  of  confidence  was 
felt  that  we  should  escape  its  ravages. 

This  confidence  continued  until  thebeginning 
of  June  in  the  memorable  year  1832.  Then 
the  tidings  arrived  that  it  had  broken  out  at  the 
same  time  at  Quebec  and  Montreal.  In  another 
month  it  was  at  New  York.  And  then,  how 
speedily  did  it  march  over  the  land  in  its  length 
and  breadth?  It  was  also  experienced  in 
greater  or  less  extent  and  violence  in  the  two 
following  years.  It  is  not  my  intention  to  re- 
hearse its  history,  or  give  its  statistics.  I  have 
neither  the  time  nor  the  means  of  doing  so  at 
my  command.  It  is  enough  to  remark,  that 
many  thousands  were  its  victims,  that  millions 
felt  its  effects,  that  the  minds  of  the  greater  part 
of  our  population  w^ere  so  disturbed  and  alarm- 
ed by  it  as  to  be  unable  to  take  their  daily  food 
with  comfort,  and  few  were  then  unwilling  to 
acknowledge  "the  finger  of  God"  in  it.  Nor 
was  the  acknowledgment  an  unreasonable  one. 
A  disease  so  singular  in  its  character,  so 
strange  and  rapid  in  its  movements,  so  fatal  in 
its  effects,  and  so  w^ell  calculated  deeply  to  af- 
fect the  minds  of  men,  may  well  be  referred  to 
the  special  providence  of  God.  If  God  have 
any  thing  to  do  with  the  affairs  of  men,  and  we 
are   divinely  told  that  his   judgments  are    fre- 


DEALINGS     OP     PROVIDENCE.        271 

quently  abroad  in  the  earth,  and  that  the  very 
hairs  of  our  head  are  all  numbered,  why  should 
we  doubt  the  presence  of  his  hand,  and  the 
counsel  of  his  will  in  such  a  series  of  divine 
providences  ?  I  will  not  now  inquire  either  into 
the  cause  or  object. 

Another  striking  series  of  facts  may  be  found 
in  the  number  of  lives  which  have  been  lost 
within  the  last  seven  years  by  shipwreck,  and 
by  the  burning  of  vessels  at  sea,  and  the  de- 
struction of  steamboats  in  a  variety  of  ways,  on 
the  rivers  and  lakes  of  our  country.  The  cata- 
logue is  long  and  dark,  and  a  detailed  rehearsal 
of  their  story  would  be  harrowing  to  the  feel- 
ings. Who  does  not  think  with  horror  of  the 
destruction  of  the  Mexico  on  Long  Island,  to- 
gether with  the  greater  part  of  her  passengers 
and  crew,  in  the  depth  of  winter.  The  loss  of 
the  unfortunate  Pulaski  on  our  seaboard,  the 
Moselle  at  Cincinnati,  and  the  Washington  on 
Lake  Erie,  sent  a  thrill  of  horror  throughout  our 
land.  Multitudes  of  other  disasters  have  occur- 
red connected  with  the  loss  of  many  lives.  The 
recent  loss  of  three  of  our  most  splendid  packet 
ships  on  the  coast  of  England,  and  the  many 
lives  which  fell  a  sacrifice,  are  still  fresh  in  our 
memories.  How  many  lives  have  thus  been 
lost  I  cannot  tell — the  number  is  large.  During 
one  season  it  amounted  to  a  thousand  on  our 


272  LECTURE    XI. 

coast  in  the  course  of  a  few  months.  The  ag- 
gregate for  the  last  seven  years  would  amount 
to  many  thousands.  Has  the  Lord,  who  guides 
and  governs  the  elements  of  nature,  as  well  as 
the  minds  of  the  children  of  men,  had  any  con- 
cern with  these  affairs  ?  Who,  but  the  down- 
right Atheist,  can  deny  the  presence  and  the 
hand  of  God  in  them  ? 

Look  next  at  the  state  of  property  and  busi- 
ness in  our  country  during  the  same  period. 
There  has  perhaps  never  been  a  time  in  the 
history  of  this  land,  (and  the  goodness  of  the 
Lord  has  been  prolific  towards  us,)  when  we  en- 
joyed a  state  of  more  high  and  palmy  pros- 
perity, than  in  the  years  which  immediately  pre- 
ceded 1834.  Agriculture,  commerce,  and  manu- 
factures, were  rapidly  developing  our  resources. 
Every  thing  to  which  men  put  their  hands 
seemed  to  prosper.  The  wilderness  smiled  as 
Eden,  and  blossomed  as  the  rose,  and  we  said 
in  our  self-complacency,  "  My  mountain  stands 
strong,  I  shall  never  be  moved."  During  that 
year,  however,  it  became  a  matter  of  painful 
experience  that  in  that  respect  the  Lord  hid  his 
face,  and  we  were  troubled.  Who  does  not  re- 
member that  season  of  panic.  One  ascribed  it 
to  one  cause,  and  another  to  another.  Some 
supposed  it  to  be  necessary,  and  others  facti- 
tious.    But  so  far  as  I  recollect,  the  hand  of 


DEALINGS     OF     PROVIDENCE.       273 

God  was  seldom  mentioned  in  connexion  with 
it.  It  is,  however,  very  certain  that  the  ex- 
changes of  our  country  became  exceedingly  de- 
ranged, that  multitudes  were  very  much  embar- 
rassed, that  many  heavy  failures  occurred,  that 
there  was  a  great  stagnation  of  business,  and 
that  many  a  golden  dream  vanished  into  thin 
air.  It  is  not  doubted  that  the  supposed  wealth 
of  our  country  was  diminished  by  many  millions 
by  the  operation. 

The  last  month  of  the  succeeding  year  was 
rendered  memorable,  by  one  of  the  greatest  ca- 
amities  which  our  country  has  ever  suffered — 
the  conflagration  of  more  than  six  hundred 
dwellings  and  stores,  and  the  destruction  of 
more  than  seventeen  millions  worth  of  proper- 
ty, in  the  city  of  New  York.  The  effects  of 
that  calamity  are  not  easily  measured,  and  will 
not  soon  be  forgotten.  The  whole  land  felt  it; 
for,  business  has  connected  every  part  of  it 
with  New  York.  Perhaps  the  city  of  Charles- 
ton has  since  suffered  in  an  equal,  if  not 
greater  proportion,  by  a  similar  calamity. 
Many  other  cities  have  subsequently  suffered 
heavy  losses  in  the  same  way.  Twenty  mil- 
lions would  not  replace  the  property  which  has 
been  destroyed  in  our  country  by  fire,  within 
five  years. 

I  have  already  adverted  to  shipwrecks,  and 


274  LECTURE    XI. 

the  destruction  of  steamboats,  on  the  waters  of 
our  country,  in  a  variety  of  ways,  as  connected 
with  the  loss  of  human  hfe.  It  is  pertinent 
here  to  connect  these  disasters  with  the  de- 
struction of  property.  I  am  not  in  possession 
of  data  which  would  enable  me  even  to  ap- 
proximate the  truth  in  any  calculations  which 
I  might  make  on  the  subject — but  no  one 
would  be  surprised  if  it  were  estimated  by 
millions. 

The  year  1837  is  still  fresh  in  your  recollec- 
tion. Many  w411  never  forget  it.  How  should 
they?  when  so  many  great  houses  were  smit- 
ten with  breaches,  and  so  many  little  ones  with 
clefts;  and  so  many  were  obliged  to  cry,  with 
Micah,  "Ye  have  taken  away  my  gods;  and 
what  have  I  more?"  Who  ever  witnessed 
such  a  period?  House  after  house  fell — fail- 
ure followed  failure,  in  such  rapid  succession, 
that  all  confidence  was  destroyed,  and  almost 
universal  bankruptcy  was  feared.  Thousands 
were  sacrificed  to  save  the  last  hope  of  credit. 
Every  succeeding  morning's  intelligence  was 
anticipated  with  a  kind  of  instinctive  horror. 
Men  were  afraid  to  ask  of  each  other,  the 
news  of  the  day.  Many,  in  this  community, 
and  more  in  proportion  elsewhere,  feared,  for 
a  length  of  time,  every  morning,  that  their  cre- 
dit, dearer  to  them  than  life,  would  that  day 


DEALINGS    OF    PROVIDENCE.  275 

perish — till  finally,  the  banks  stopped  the  pay- 
ment of  specie,  and  the  community  doubted, 
whether  one-half  of  them  would  ever  resume. 
Never  was  this  description  of  the  Jews,  in 
their  calamity,  more  strikingly  resembled  than 
among  the  business  part  of  the  American  peo- 
ple: "In  the  morning  thou  shalt  say,  would 
God  it  were  even !  and  at  even  thou  shalt  say, 
would  God  it  were  morning!  for  the  fear  of 
thine  heart  wherewith  thou  shalt  fear,  and  for 
the  sight  of  thine  eyes  which  thou  shalt  see!" 
We  were  indeed  a  suffering  community;  and 
all  our  previous  pecuniary  losses  were  cast  into 
the  shade  by  those  which  were  induced  by  this 
state  of  things. 

We  dwell  in  a  widely  extended  and  fertile 
land,  abounding  in  the  fruits  of  the  earth,  and, 
with  ordinary  cultivation,  producing  far  beyond 
the  necessities  of  its  inhabitants.  In  this  re- 
spect it  is  a  land  highly  favoured  of  the  Lord — 
in  the  beautiful  language  of  the  Scriptures,  "  a 
land  flowing  with  milk  and  honey."  It  has 
been  called,  "  the  poor  man's  paradise."  And 
yet,  such  have  been  the  aspects  of  Divine 
Providence,  that  for  two  seasons  of  the  period 
under  review,  there  was  such  a  deficiency  of 
some  of  the  more  important  fruits  of  the  earth, 
as  not  only  to  enhance  the  price  of  bread-stuffs 
so  much  as  greatly  to  embarrass  the  poor,  but. 


276  LECTURE     XI. 

SO  as  to  render  the  importation  of  hundreds  of 
thousands  of  bushels  of  grain  from  foreign 
countries  necessary.  This,  to  say  the  least  of 
it,  is  a  strange  thing  in  the  history  of  our 
country;  and  is  worthy  of  the  observation  of 
the  moralist,  as  well  as  the  political  oecono- 
mist. 

There  is  left,  in  our  country,  a  remnant  of 
the  aboriginal  inhabitants.  They  have  been 
widely  scattered.  We  have  been  frequently 
embroiled  with  them.  They  have  often  met 
with  hard  and  provoking  treatment;  commonly 
from  individuals,  or  small  portions  of  the  com- 
munity. The  Government  has,  in  the  main, 
sought  their  welfare.  But,  crowded  by  our 
advancing  population,  they  have  receded,  and 
melted  away.  A  small  tribe,  denominated  the 
Seminoles,  inhabited  Florida.  We  felt  anxious 
to  possess  the  whole  of  that  Territory.  We 
entered  into  a  treaty  with  them;  to  which,  the 
body  of  the  tribe  were  unwilhng  to  accede.  A 
war  was  the  consequence;  which  has  already 
endured  two  years  and  a  half,  cost  twenty  mil- 
lions of  dollars,  and  more  lives  than  the  tribe 
originally  contained;  and,  almost  every  week 
brings  us  an  account  of  some  plantation  that 
has  been  devastated,  and  its  inhabitants  de- 
stroyed. But  the  end  is  not  yet.  This,  is  cer- 
tainly remarkable.     There  must  be  a  cause. 


DEALINGS    OF    PROVIDENCE.  277 

Concerning  the  tribes  which  our  Government 
is  collecting  together  beyond  the  Mississippi,  I 
will  hazard  no  conjectures.  I  have  my  fears. 
God  grant  that  they  may  prove  to  have  been 
unfounded.  Most  of  these  tribes  are  still  rude 
and  uncivilized,  and,  of  course,  easily  excited, 
and  under  the  influence  of  strong  feeling.  They 
have  been  pushed  from  point  to  point,  with  no 
gentle  hand.  They  are  warmly  attached  to 
their  hunting-grounds,  and  "  the  place  of  their 
father's  sepulchres."  They  feel  as  if  they  have 
had  hard  measure  meted  out  to  them.  They 
feel,  as  if  they  have  been  greatly  wronged^  and 
wronged  by  us.  When  we  tell  them  of  their  trea- 
ties, they  allege  fraud  or  force  in  obtaining  them. 
When  we  speak  of  their  depredations  on  our 
frontiers,  they  reply,  we  were  living  peaceably 
in  our  cabins,  till  your  people  came  upon  us, 
and  drove  off  our  cattle  and  horses,  and  burnt 
up  our  cabins,  and  even  slew  our  women  ^nd 
children,  while  our  braves  were  at  a  distance, 
on  our  hunting-grounds.  They  are  too  often 
in  the  right,  for  our  reputation  or  our  good. 
Is  it  not  to  be  apprehended,  that  feelings  of  re- 
venge may  be  rankling  in  their  bosoms?  that 
they  may  be  watching  some  favourable  oppor- 
tunity, when  they  will  bury  all  the  evil  feelings 
they  entertain  towards  each  other,  and,  under 
the  influence  of  some  new  prophet,  unite  their 

24 


278  LECTURE      XI. 

forces,  and  pour  out  their  fury  on  our  frontiers; 
or,  that  some  new  wrong,  real  or  imaginary, 
may  rouse  them  to  fury  against  us?  And,  if 
we  have  really  wronged  them,  would  not  God 
plead  for  them  against  us!  I  fear,  we  have 
not  seen  the  last  of  our  Indian  wars. 

There  are  a  number  of  other  topics  of 
scarcely  inferior  importance,  upon  which  the 
attentive  observer  of  "  the  signs  of  the  times," 
cannot  look  without  feeling  a  thrill  of  interest 
and  apprehension,  as  connected  with  the  wel- 
fare of  our  beloved  country — at  which  I  have 
time  only  to  glance.  There  is  a  fearful  interest 
connected  with  the  state  of  the  British  pro- 
vinces to  the  north  and  east  of  us.  They  are 
full  of  the  elements  of  political  turmoil.  When 
they  are  hard  pressed  they  take  refuge  among 
us.  They  arm  anew  for  the  contest  within  our 
borders,  supported  and  encouraged  not  only  by 
thQ  sympathies,  but  by  the  money  and  arms  of 
Americans,  a  number  of  whom  have  paid  the 
forfeit  with  their  lives,  some  on  the  field  of 
battle,  and  some  on  the  gallows. 

The  agitations  connected  with  the  Maine 
boundary  are  scarcely  yet  allayed.  A  few 
wrecks  ago,  one  of  the  states  of  the  Union, 
bound  by  a  constitution  which  has  committed 
the  whole  subject  of  our  foreign  relations  to 
the  general  government,  well  nigh  levied  war. 


DEALINGS     OF     PROVIDENCE.        279 

and  committed  the  Union  to  a  contest  which 
might  have  endured  for  years,  and  cost  thou- 
sands of  hves,  and  milhons  of  money,  and 
whose  influence  on  morals  and  happiness  no 
man  can  measure — and  yet  the  body  of  the 
American  people  were  but  httle  alarmed  at  it, 
and  many,  I  fear,  anxiously  desired  it.  If  pub- 
lic opinion  on  the  subject  of  war,  be,  what  I 
apprehend  it  to  be,  we  might  very  easily  be 
hurried  into  contests,  which  under  the  most 
favourable  circumstances  are  to  be  greatly  de- 
precated, and  might  prove  very  destructive  to 
our  dearest  interests. 

It  is  not  necessary  that  I  should  direct  your 
attention  again  to  the  difficult,  agitating,  and 
alarming  subject  of  slavery,  in  connexion  with 
the  state  of  public  sentiment  about  it,  which  to 
me  seems  like  one  of  the  rods  which  God  is 
holding  over  our  heads.  Nor  will  I  dwell,  al- 
though it  holds  a  prominent  place  in  the  cate- 
gory, on  that  restless  and  lawless  spirit,  which 
from  time  to  time  vents  itself  in  broils  and 
mobs,  and  which  we  have  reason  to  fear  may 
mingle  itself  up  with  the  politics  of  the  day, 
and  in  the  hands  of  unprincipled  men,  be  used 
as  an  instrument  to  subvert  our  happy  institu- 
tions. The  danger  is  the  greater  from  the 
consideration,  that  there  is  reason  to  fear  that 
a  sufficiently  high  value  is  not  attached  to  our 


280  LECTURE     XI. 

Union  and  institutions  as  they  exist.  We 
are  lohat  we  are,  because  we  are  one  people. 
The  value  of  this  cannot  be  calculated.  And 
yet  it  may  be  feared  there  are  those  who  think 
their  arithmetic  can  make  the  estimate.  Be- 
lieve me,  my  hearers,  that  if  one  link  be  broken 
out  of  that  chain,  its  parts  will  never  be  re- 
united. That  any  of  the  American  people, 
and  especially  any  of  our  prominent  public 
men,  can  look  at  the  prospect  of  a  probable 
severance  of  our  Union,  no  matter  for  what 
cause,  without  shuddering,  is  to  me  an  indu- 
bitable proof,  that  their  minds  are  destitute  of 
that  wisdom,  and  their  hearts  of  that  whole- 
some feehng,  which  God  will  give  us  while  he 
regards  us  with  favour. 

It  has  appeared  from  the  facts  which  have 
passed  in  review  before  us  this  evening,  that 
there  are  many  things  which  have  occurred 
within  the  last  seven  years  of  our  country's 
history,  which  are  of  a  striking  character,  and 
which,  however  many  are  the  blessings  which 
have  been  left  to  us,  would  seem  to  indicate 
that  God  has  a  controversy  with  us  which  we 
ought  to  regard  with  reverential  interest  and  to 
study  with  devout  attention.  I  am  fully  aware 
of  the  delicacy  and  danger  connected  with  the 
study  and  application  of  such  a  subject,  remem- 
bering the  words  of  Christ  concerning  those 


DEALINGS     OF     PROVIDENCE.        281 

eighteen  upon  whom  the  tower  in  Siloam  fell ; 
"Think  ye  that  these  were  sinners  above  all  men 
that  dwell  in  Jerusalem  ?  I  tell  you,  nay ;  but 
except  ye  repent,  ye  shall  all  likewise  perish." 
It  becomes  us  to  be  very  humble  and  modest  in 
the  judgments  we  form  on  such  subjects.  It  is 
however,  one  thing  to  judge  rashly,  and  ano- 
ther to  "  discern  the  signs  of  the  times,"  by 
the  light  -which  God's  word  casts  on  his  pro- 
vidences. The  latter  we  not  only  may,  but 
should  do. 

It  is  as  true  that  God  is  the  moral  governor 
of  the  universe,  as  it  is  that  he  is  the  preserver 
of  his  creatures.  And  while  he  will  have  us  feel 
our  dependence,  and  thankfully  acknowledge 
his  goodness,  he  makes  it  our  sacred  duty  to 
regard  his  judgments  with  awe  and  reverence. 
The  providences  of  God  towards  the  children 
of  Israel  were  very  remarkable,  and  he  com- 
plains of  them  that  they  disregarded  them^ — 
"  Who  among  you  will  give  ear  to  this  ?  who 
will  hearken,  and  hear  for  the  time  to  come? 
who  gave  Jacob  for  a  spoil,  and  Israel  to  the 
robbers  ?  did  not  the  Lord,  he  against  whom 
we  have  sinned  ?  for  they  would  not  walk  in 
his  ways,  neither  were  they  obedient  unto  his 
laws.  Therefore  he  hath  poured  upon  them 
the  fury  of  his  anger,  and  the  strength  of  bat' 
tie;  and  it  hath  set  him  on  fire  round  about, 

24* 


282 


LECTURE    XI 


yet  he  knew  not ;  and  it  burned  him,  yet  he 
laid  it  not  to  heart."  Does  it  need  any  proof 
that  God  exercised  a  moral  government  over 
that  nation  ?  Does  not  their  whole  history 
illustrate  the  fact  ?  Why  have  they  been  dis- 
persed ?  Why  have  they  been  preserved  in  a 
separate  state  for  eighteen  hundred  years, 
though  scattered  among  all  nations?  Why 
are  there  so  many  predictions  concerning  their 
future  glory  ? 

But  perhaps  it  may  be  said,  their  case  was 
peculiar.  The  general  principles  of  the  divine 
government  are  not  peculiar.  They  embrace 
all  nations,  and  all  time.  The  government  of 
the  whole  world  has  been  committed  into  the 
hands  of  Jesus  Christ,  as  the  Mediator,  be- 
tween God  and  men,  and  the  very  principle  for 
which  I  am  contending  is  necessary  for  the  ful- 
filment of  the  trust  which  has  been  committed 
into  his  hands.  The  hopes  of  our  ruined  race 
are  dependent  upQn  it.  Hence  he  is  called, 
"  the  head  over  all  things  to  the  Church" — 
"  King  of  kings,  and  Lord  of  Lords."  "  For 
the  kingdom  is  the  Lord's ;  and  he  is  the  go- 
vernor among  the  nations." — "  Yet  have  I  set 
my  king  upon  my  holy  hill  of  Zion.  Be  wise, 
therefore,  O  ye  kings ;  be  instructed,  ye  judges 
of  the  earth.  Serve  the  Lord  with  fear,  and 
rejoice  with  trembling.     Kiss  the  son,  lest  he 


DEALINGS     OF     PROVIDENCE.        283 

be  angry,  and  ye  perish  from  the  way,  when 
his  wrath  is  kindled  but  a  little.  Blessed  are 
all  they  that  put  their  trust  in  him."  "God  is 
the  Judge:  he  putteth  down  one,  and  setteth 
up  another."  Surely,  if  the  individuals  of  our 
race  are  so  under  God's  controul,  that  "the 
very  hairs  of  their  head  are  all  numbered,"  it 
can  scarcely  be  imagined  that  He  disregards 
the  affairs  of  rulers  and  nations,  upon  the  ac- 
tion of  whom  the  welfare  of  such  myriads  of 
individuals  depend  !  Nay ;  there  are  good  rea- 
sons why  the  moral  government  of  God  should 
bear  with  more  directness  upon  collective  bo- 
dies of  men,  such  as  communities  and  nations, 
than  upon  individuals. 

The  individual  is  justly  regarded  as  responsi- 
ble in  his  own  individual  capacity.  He  never 
loses  his  personal  identity.  He  can  always  be 
found,  and  always  reached.  If  God  see  fit  to 
mark  him  by  a  providential  act  in  this  life,  it  is 
well.  He  has  a  perfect  right  to  do  so,  and  has 
often  done  it,  as  in  the  cases  of  Lot's  wife,  An- 
nanias,  Saphyra,  and  many  others.  Most  can 
recollect  instances  in  which  the  providences  of 
God  have  been  so  striking  as  to  mark  the  very 
sins  for  which  men  have  been  visited.  But 
what,  if  he  see  fit  to  give  the  notoriously 
wicked,  throughout  the  whole  of  their  lives, 
more  than  their  hearts  could  wish,  so  that  their 


284  LECTURE    XK 

cup  runneth  over,  and  their  eyes  stand  out  with 
fatness,  and  then  let  them  depart  without  bands 
in  their  death — adequate  retribution  in  the 
w^orld  of  spirits  is  insured,  for  the  individual, 
with  all  his  responsibilities,  is  remitted  to  the 
judgment  seat  of  Christ,  to  receive  according 
to  the  deeds  done  in  the  body.  Not  so  with 
respect  to  collective  bodies,  such  as  nations. 
The  bonds  of  nations  are  dissolved  here.  Death 
resolves  collective  bodies  into  the  elements  of 
which  they  are  composed.  They  are  not 
known  in  their  collective  capacity  after  this  life. 
If  therefore,  communities,  as  such,  have  exer- 
cised a  moral  influence  affecting  the  declarative 
glory  of  God,  and  the  condition  of  his  crea- 
tures, and  it  be  proper  that  God  should  act  to- 
wards them  in  such  a  way  as  to  illustrate  his 
character  and  government,  there  is  a  moral 
necessity  that  he  should  reach  them  by  the  dis- 
pensations of  his  providence  while  they  retain 
their  collective  capacity. 

This,  I  apprehend,  is  the  only  principle  upon 
w^hich  we  can  account  for  the  dealings  of  God 
with  nations,  and  the  declarations  which  we 
find  in  the  Scriptures,  bearing  on  the  subject. 
When  all  flesh  had  corrupted  their  way  on  the 
earth,  he  destroyed  the  whole  race,  excepting 
Noah  and  his  family.  When  the  inhabitants  of 
Sodom  and  the  neighbouring  cities  had  become 


DEALINGS     OF     PROVIDENCE.        285 

universally  corrupt,  he  overwhelmed  them  by 
one  stroke.  When  the  nations  of  Canaan  had 
filled  up  the  measure  of  their  iniquity,  he  sent 
the  children  of  Israel  to  destroy  them,  and 
possess  their  land.  And  when  they  aposta- 
tized, he  visited  them  with  pestilence  and 
famine,  or  delivered  them  into  the  hands  of 
their  enemies.  Such  are  the  general  develop- 
ments of  the  moral  government  of  God  towards 
the  nations  of  the  earth,  and  we  are  in  much 
less  danger  of  mistake  in  applying  these  prin- 
ciples to  communities,  than  to  individuals. 

We  are  then  prepared  to  say,  from  the  prin- 
ciples which  we  have  deduced  from  the  word  of 
God,  and  the  illustrations  furnished  by  the  sa- 
cred history  of  his  providences,  that  when  the 
dealings  of  Divine  Providence  in  consecutive 
years  are  adverse  to  the  prosperity  and  com- 
fort of  a  nation,  interfering  materially  with 
their  interests,  and  frustrating  their  desires  and 
their  hopes,  that  there  is  reason  to  fear  that 
God  is  pleading  a  controversy  with  them,  in- 
to the  ground,  of  which  they  are  imperiously 
bound  to  inquire,  and  the  causes  of  which  they 
should  diligently  labour  to  remove.  The  eye 
should  be  directed  to  them  with  close  attention 
and  deep  interest,  to  ascertain,  if  possible,  the 
reason  of  the  controversy  which  God  may  have 
with  them.     God  will  hide  himself  from  men 


286  LECTURE     XI. 

on  account  of  their  sins,  and  return  unto  them 
when  they  humble  themselves  under  his  hand 
and  return  to  him  by  penitence  and  prayer. 
This  is  his  language — "  I  will  go  and  return  to 
my  place  till  they  acknowledge  their  offence, 
and  seek  my  face."  And  concerning  the  dili- 
gent study  of  his  dispensations  we  have  this 
record — "  whoso  is  wise,  and  will  observe  these 
things,  even  they  shall  understand  the  loving 
kindness  of  the  Lord."  The  attention  and  in- 
terest with  which  men  may  be  induced  to  re- 
gard the  Lord's  dealings  with  them  is  of  great 
importance. 

That  God  takes  an  interest  in  the  concerns 
of  our  country,  none  but  Atheists  will  venture 
to  deny.  Our  fathers  loved  to  acknowledge 
his  hand,  and  refer  their  cause  to  him.  And 
who  can  believe  that  this  people  have  grown 
up  without  his  care  and  blessing !  And  if  he 
led  forth  our  fathers  like  a  flock,  and  guided 
and  raised  us  to  such  heights  of  prosperity 
and  glory,  why  should  it  be  supposed  that  he 
has  had  no  concern  in  the  events  of  later  years. 
If  our  prosperity  have  come  from  him,  from 
what  source  have  our  afflictions  come?  Do 
they  ever  come  without  a  cause  ? 

Look  again  at  the  events  of  the  last  seven 
years  which  have  passed  in  review  before  us. 
The  dreadful   cholera,  which  swept  away  so 


DEALINGS     OF     PROVIDENCE.         287 

many  thousands,  in  so  short  a  time,  and  filled 
the  whole  land  with  consternation.     The  suc- 
cessive   embarrassments   in    the    concerns   of 
business  and  money.     The  loss  of  human  life 
by  shipwreck  and  other  disasters  on  our  wa- 
ters. .  The  pecuniary  losses  which  have  been 
suffered  by  derangement  of  business,  by  bank- 
ruptcies, by  storms  at  sea,  by  the  destruction 
of  steam-boats  by  fire  and  other  means,  by  the 
conflagration  of  scores  of  manufactories,  and 
large  portions  of  some  of  our  cities,  by  exten- 
sive failures  of  the  fruits  of  the  earth,  and  by 
the  overwhelming  floods  with  which  the  last 
winter  has  passed  away — the  gloomy  subject  of 
slavery,  and  the  feelings  which  are  connected 
with  it,  and  engendered  by  it — the  lawless  and 
reckless  spirit  which  actuates  so  many  of  our 
countrymen,  and  which  vents  itself  in  broils 
and  mobs,  and  conflagrations,  and  murders — 
the  state  of  the  Indian  tribes,  and  the  expen- 
sive, protracted,  and  disgraceful  war  in  which 
we  have  been  engaged  with  one  of  the  smallest 
of    them.      The    state   of   the    Canadas,   the 
Maine  boundary  question,  and  the  feelings  of  a 
multitude  of  the  American  people  with  respect 
to  our  relations  with  Great  Britain.     If  God 
has  any  concern  with   these   subjects,  and   I 
know  not  how  to  separate  them  from  the  scope 
and  action  of  his  moral  government — a  govern- 


288  LECTURE     XI. 

ment  which  comprehends  the  army  of  heaven, 
and  every  dweller  upon  earth,  yea,  and  the  dark 
regions  of  hell — then  there  is  reason  to  appre- 
hend that  he  has  a  controversy  with  us,  of 
which  these  providences  are  the  tokens  and  the 
proofs,  and  we  cannot  disregard  them  without 
neglecting  the  best  interests  of  our  country,  and 
our  duty  to  God. 

Nor  would  it  be  difficult  to  find  substantial 
reasons  for  the  Lord's  dealings  with  us,  in  our 
state  and  conduct  as  a  nation.  He  has  dealt 
graciously  and  bountifully  with  us.  There  is 
not  a  people  on  earth  who  are  so  deeply  in- 
debted to  the  Divine  goodness.  We  have, 
truly,  "  a  goodly  heritage."  Whether  we  look 
at  the  extent,  fertility,  and  healthiness  of  our 
country,  the  Divine  care  in  watching  over  us, 
the  deliverances  we  have  experienced  from 
perils,  the  rapidity  of  our  growth,  in  num- 
bers, in  wealth,  and  in  the  substantial  com- 
forts of  life,  the  happy  character  of  our  civil 
institutions,  and  the  exuberance  of  our  religi- 
ous privileges,  we  may  well  say,  "  he  hath  not 
dealt  so  with  any  people."  What  returns  have 
we  made  to  him?  Where  are  the  memorials  of 
our  gratitude?  What  improvement  have  we 
made  of  our  privileges?  As  a  nation^  we  ac- 
knowledge his  hand  in  nothing;  we  are  afraid, 
as  a  people^  even  to  mention  his  name.     We 


DEALINGS  OF  PROVIDENCE.    289 

have,  to  be  sure,  a  day  of  memorial:  but 
whom  do  we  honour  by  its  observance?  We 
sing  hosannahs  to  Mars,  by  the  thunder  of  our 
cannon;  and  pour  out  hbations  to  Bacchus,  in 
wine  or  whiskey;  but,  where  are  our  acknow- 
ledgments to  the  God  of  our  fathers?  The 
sins  of  the  Fourth  of  July,  are  more  than 
enough  to  account  for  every  divine  frown  we 
have  ever  experienced. 

The  falsehoods,  slanders,  bribes,  blasphe- 
mies, perjuries,  drunkenness,  and  broils,  con- 
nected with  almost  any  general  election  which 
takes  place  in  our  country,  are  enough  to  turn 
the  Divine  Mind  against  us,  and  tempt  the 
Lord  to  pour  out  his  wrath  upon  us. 

We  have  had  an  unexampled  course  of  pros- 
perity. The  earth  has  brought  forth  by  hand- 
fuls;  and  we  have  gathered  up  riches  like  Solo- 
mon. What  effect  has  the  Divine  goodness 
had  upon  us?  It  has  made  us  greedy  of  gain, 
anxious  to  grow  suddenly  rich,  dissatisfied  with 
the  gradually  increasing  avails  of  honest  in- 
dustry, proud,  extravagant,  luxurious,  unthank- 
ful, and  regardless  of  God,  the  giver  of  every 
good  and  perfect  gift.  It  appears  to  me,  to  be 
proved  to  a  demonstration,  by  the  very  visita- 
tions of  God's  hand,  that  these  are  some  of 
our  crying,  national  sins,  for  which  he  is  now, 
in  a  very  striking  manner,  visiting  us.  Nor  is 
25 


290 


LECTURE     XI. 


it  strange  that  it  should  be  so,  if  he  have  any 
mercy  left  for  us;  for  the  love  of  the  world, 
and  the  love  of  God,  in  which  the  happiness 
of  intelligent  creatures  consists,  are  totally  in- 
consistent with  each  other.  This  is  a  contro- 
versy, which  he  7iow  appears  to  be  pleading 
with  us;  and,  in  which  it  behooves  us  to  "hear 
the  rod,"  and  give  God  glory,  ere  he  cause 
darkness. 

Nor,  finally,  would  it  be  difficult  to  find  a 
pregnant  reason  for  the  Divine  frowns  which 
have  fallen  upon  us,  in  the  little  improvement 
which  we  have  made  of  our  religious  privi- 
leges, and  in  our  disregard  of  those  institu- 
tions which  God  has  so  graciously  bestowed 
upon  us.  God  has  said,  "  Them  that  honour- 
eth  me,  I  will  honour;  and  they  that  despise 
me,  shall  be  lightly  esteemed."  This  is  a  prin- 
ciple of  the  Divine  government.  What  people 
have  enjoyed  the  appliances  of  religion  in 
richer  abundance?  This  is,  emphatically,  a 
land  of  Bibles,  Sabbaths,  and  sanctuaries. 
We  have  none  to  interfere  with  our  duties  to 
God,  and  the  rights  of  our  consciences;  and 
are  therefore  under  the  greater  obligations  to 
improve  our  unparalleled  privileges.  But  what 
are  the  facts  of  the  case?  What  multitudes, 
not  only  disregard,  but  despise  and  abuse 
every  thing  which  partakes  of  a  religious  cha- 


DEALINGS    OF    PROVIDENCE.         291 

racter;  and,  especially,  to  what  idle  and  sinful 
purposes  is  the  day  of  "  sacred  rest,"  "  the 
holy  of  the  Lord,  and  honourable,"  the  memo- 
rial among  us  of  God's  creating  power  and 
redeeming  mercy,  perverted?  sufficiently  so  to 
mark  it  as  a  national  sin.  But,  you  ask,  would 
you  have  men  obliged  by  law  to  read  the  Bi- 
ble, sanctify  the  Sabbath,  and  wait  on  the  ordi- 
nances of  religion?  Be  assured,  my  hearers, 
that  I  have  not  forgotten  the  Saviour's  declara- 
tion, "  My  kingdom  is  not  of  this  world."  I 
am  not  a  believer  in  the  absurdity  of  making 
men  religious  by  law;  or,  the  worse  than  folly, 
of  uniting  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  to  the 
states  of  this  world.  A  worse  evil  could  not 
befal  religion.  But  I  do  believe,  that  the  obli- 
gations of  religion,  are  personal  and  universal; 
and  that,  when  men  are  acquainted  with  them, 
and  their  connected  institutions,  and  disregard 
and  pervert  them,  that  God  will  hold  them 
responsible,  and  deal  with  them  accordingly. 
Nay,  that  where  it  amounts  to  a  national  sin, 
that  he  will  visit  the  nation  for  it.  And  while, 
as  a  minister  of  Jesus  Christ,  I  ask  not  the  ru- 
lers of  the  world  to  establish  religion  by  law,  I 
not  only  ask,  but  warn  them,  to  enact  no  laws, 
which  would  go  to  legalize  breaches  of  God's 
enactments.  Here,  I  think,  we  have  failed  of 
our  duty,  and  are  suflfering  in  consequence  of 


292  LECTURE    XI. 

it.  Lightly  as  men  think  of  the  Sabbath,  God 
has  connected  the  honour  and  glory  of  his 
name,  and  the  welfare  of  his  creatures  with  it, 
to  an  extent  which  eternity  only  can  measure. 

You  may  not  be  aware  of  the  fact — 
nevertheless  it  is  true,  that  the  laws  of  our 
country  oblige  many  thousands  of  its  inhabi- 
tants to  live  in  the  habitual  breach  of  the 
law  of  the  Sabbath,  and  tempt  hundreds  of 
thousands  to  do  so.  I  allude  to  the  laws 
which  regulate  the  post-offices,  mails,  canals, 
and  rail-roads  of  our  country,  rendered  neces- 
sary only  by  the  love  of  gain,  and  the  desire  of 
gratifying  curiosity.  But  a  more  painful  sight, 
connected  with  this  part  of  our  subject,  has 
rarely  occurred  in  our  country,  than  was  exhi- 
bited five  weeks  ago  this  day,*  at  our  National 
Capitol.  On  that  day,  the  representatives  of 
the  people  of  these  United  States,  with  the 
Head  of  the  Government  in  waiting  to  receive 
and  approve  the  work  of  their  hands,  were  as- 
sembled in  Congress,  to  complete  the  work  of 
our  annual  legislation,  which  might  have  been 
finished   before   in  a  tenth   part   of  the   time 


*  Both  Houses  of  Congress  were  in  session  during  the  whole 
day,  on  Sabbath,  the  3d  of  March,  1839;  and  who  has  rebuked 
them  for  it?  The  secular  press  has  observed  a  dead  silence;  and 
the  religious  press  and  the  pulpit,  if  they  have  spoken  at  all,  have 
done  it  in  a  whisper !  I 


DEALINGS     OF    PROVIDENCE.         293 

which  had  been  unprofitably  wasted;  and  the 
people  have  made  this  sin  their  own,  by  not  re- 
buking them  for  it.  Over  such  a  scene,  angels 
might  weep.  Is  it  a  wonder  that  God  frowns 
upon  us? 

I  have  borne  my  feeble  testimony.  I  have 
finished  the  contemplated  review  of  "the  signs 
of  the  times."  On  the  next  occasion,  your  at- 
tention will  be  directed  to  "the  duty  of  the 
Gospel  ministry  with  respect  to  the  signs  of 
the  times."  And  now,  to  God,  only  wise,  be 
glory  everlasting. 


25' 


LECTURE    XII. 
D  U  T  Y     OF     T  H  E     MINISTRY. 

MATTHEW  XVI.  III. 
CAN  YE  NOT  DISCERN  THE  SIGNS  OF  THE  TIMES. 

EZEKIEL  III.  XVII. 

Son  of  mdn^  I  have  made  thee  a  watchman  unto 
the  house  of  Israel:  therefore  hear  the  word  at 
my  mouthy  and  give  them  warning  from  me. 

Having  completed  the  contemplated  review  of 
"  the  signs  of  the  times,"  I  think  it  both  rele- 
vant and  important,  to  connect  the  whole  sub- 
ject with  the  ministry  of  the  Gospel.  During 
his  personal  ministry  on  earth,  our  Saviour 
was  follow^ed  by  large  multitudes,  who  heard 
his  instructions.  There  were,  however,  twelve, 
who,  upon  his  special  call,  were  more  constant- 
ly with  him,  and  constituted,  as  it  were,  his 
family.  These  were  denominated  his  "  Apos- 
tles," because  he  occasionally  sent  them  out  to 


DUTY     OF    THE     MINISTRY.  295 

minister  in  his  name;  and,  when  ascending  to 
glory,  he  commissioned  them  to  "go  into  all 
the  world,  and  preach  the  Gospel  to  every 
creature,"  appending  this  promise,  "Lo!  I  am 
with  you  always,  even  to  the  end  of  the 
world." 

This  commission  required  them  to  make 
known  the  whole  will  of  God  to  those  to 
whom  they  should  go,  in  his  name,  rightly 
dividing  to  every  man  the  Word  of  truth,  ac- 
cording to  his  need,  of  which,  they  could  judge 
only  as  God  should  teach  them,  or  as  their 
state  and  character  should  be  developed  by 
Divine  Providence.  The  great  body  of  that 
instruction,  which  it  is  proper  and  necessary 
for  a  minister  of  the  Gospel  to  give  to  his 
hearers,  must  be  drawn  from  the  sacred  Scrip- 
tures. They  are  the  grand  depository  of  God's 
revealed  will.  This  store-house  is  well  replen- 
ished. The  stock  is  large,  and  rich.  The 
Scriptures,  however,  do  not  consist  of  mere 
doctrines  and  precepts.  They  contain,  also, 
the  principles  of  God's  moral  government,  and 
the  history  of  its  administration,  so  far  as  the 
Church  is  concerned — and  the  Church  is  con- 
cerned in  it  to  a  greater  extent  than  we  are  in 
the  habit  of  imagining.  If  you  will  read  with 
attention  the  seventh  and  eighth  chapters  of 
the  book  of  Daniel,  you  will  find  a  succinct 


296  LECTURE     XII. 

prophetical  history  of  the  four  great  kingdoms, 
which  have  followed  each  other  in  succession, 
the  Babylonish,  the  Grecian,  the  Roman,  and 
the  politico-religious  one  which  arose  out  of 
the  last  upon  the  subversion  of  the  Western 
Roman  Empire  by  the  Goths  and  Vandals. 
Upon  turning  your  attention  to  the  subject,  you 
will  perceive  what  a  mighty  influence  these 
have  exerted  on  the  Church  of  God,  and  the 
interests  of  immortal  souls.  This  connexion 
is  still  running  on;  and  we  are  waiting  for 
those  farther  developments  of  Divine  Provi- 
dence, which  shall  bring  the  great  Papal  anti- 
christian  apostacy  to  an  end,  release  the 
Church  of  God  from  her  bondage,  and  bring 
her  out  into  the  liberty  and  glory  of  her  mil- 
lenial  state.  And,  because  we  suppose  that 
the  dispensations  of  Providence,  with  respect 
to  the  nations  of  the  earth,  our  own  country 
as  well  as  others,  have  a  direct  and  important 
bearing  on  the  Church,  and  the  salvation  of 
souls,  we  are  induced  to  believe  that  ministers 
of  the  Gospel  have  important  duties  to  dis- 
charge, in  connexion  with  "  the  signs  of  the 
times." 

I  am  as  far  from  desiring  to  make  them 
worldly  politicians,  as  I  am  from  wishing  to 
see  them  engaged  in  any  of  the  schemes  of 
ambition  or  money-making,  which  are  leading 


DUTY     OF    THE     MINISTRY.  297 

such  multitudes  to  forget  God  and  the  salva- 
tion of  their  souls.  God  forbid,  that  they 
should  descend  from  their  watch-towers  for 
such  purposes.  I  wish  to  see  them  fixed  on 
their  appropriate  posts,  awake  to  their  duty, 
alive  to  every  movement  which  is  taking  place, 
studying  the  actions  of  men,  and  the  provi- 
dence of  God,  by  the  light  of  his  Holy  Word ; 
with  a  divine  telescope  in  one  hand,  and  the 
gospel  trumpet  in  the  other,  ready  to  sound  an 
alarm  in  God's  holy  mountain,  and  give  the 
people  warning  from  Him. 

Is  there  one  of  "  the  signs  of  the  times,"  to 
which  your  attention  has  been  directed,  which 
has  no  connexion  with  the  moral  character  and 
conduct  of  men,  the  state  and  prospects  of  the 
Church  of  God,  the  salvation  of  souls,  the  wel- 
fare of  society,  and  the  glory  of  Jehovah  ?  With 
respect  to  some  of  them,  the  connexion  is  direct 
and  palpable.  It  is  so  with  respect  to  the  subject 
of  missions.  Nothing  can  be  more  obvious,  than 
that  it  is  the  duty  of  the  ministry  of  reconcilia- 
tion to  give  to  the  Gospel  the  widest  scope, 
and  the  greatest  efficiency  within  the  sphere  of 
their  immediate  labours.  Their  w^ork  is  not 
done,  and  therefore,  their  hand  is  not  to  be 
stayed,  while  a  sinner  remains  unconverted,  or 
a  saint  inconsistent,  inactive,  or  not  growing  in 
grace  and  knowledge.     In  other  words,  till  all 


298  LECTURE    XII. 

are  doing  their  duty,  and  ripening  for  heaven. 
The  whole  body  of  the  Church,  however,  and, 
very  prominently,  the  ministers  of  the  Gospel, 
are  firmly  and  sacredly  bound  to  see,  to  the 
fullest  extent  of  their  ability,  that  the  Saviour's 
command,  "  preach  the  Gospel  to  every  crea- 
ture," be  carried  into  effect.  The  command 
was  manifestly  addressed  to  the  Apostles,  as 
the  representatives  of  the  whole  Church,  the 
radiating  point  from  which  light  was  to  go 
forth  to  the  ends  of  the  earth.  Their  Master 
had  already  said  to  them,  "  Ye  are  the  light  of 
the  world."  Providence  has  taught  us,  that  it 
w^as  not  the  divine  design  that  this  command 
should  receive  its  full  accomplishment  by  the 
ministry  of  the  Apostles,  or  in  their  day;  but, 
that  the  duty  should  remain  incumbent  to  the 
end  of  time,  and  hence,  is  incumbent  now;  for, 
such  is  the  import  of  the  appended  promise, 
"Lo!  I  am  with  you  always,  even  to  the  end 
of  the  world." 

There  rests,  therefore,  a  weighty  duty,  and 
high  responsibility  on  the  leaders  of  the  Lord's 
host,  for  there  remains  much  land  to  be  possess- 
ed. I  say,  "  on  the  leaders,"  for  it  is  from  them 
that  the  body  of  the  Church  must  receive  their 
intelligence,  and  learn  their  duty.  It  is  but 
little  of  the  state  and  prospects  of  our  sin- 
ruined  world  that  the  great  mass  of  our  con- 


DUTY     OF     THE     MINISTRY.  299 

gregations  either  know,  or  can  know,  as  to  its 
wants  and  woes,  excepting  what  they  learn 
from  the  hps  of  their  pastors.  Nor  can  they 
be  brought  to  act  till  they  are  informed,  nor 
will  they  continue  to  act,  unless  the  Macedo- 
nian cry,  "come  over,  and  help  us,"  is  con- 
stantly sounded  in  their  ears.  The  feelings 
and  actions  of  Christians  with  respect  to  mis- 
sions, will  take  "  their  form  and  pressure"  from 
the  ministry  under  which  they  live.  I  know 
not,  therefore,  why  the  ministry  is  not  to  be 
held  personally  responsible  for  the  want  of  in- 
terest or  exertion  on  the  part  of  their  congre- 
gations, so  far  as  these  have  been  induced  by 
their  neglect  to  communicate  to  them  the  ne- 
cessary intelligence,  or  to  excite  them  to  action 
by  the  necessary  inducements. 

The  great  lesson  here  taught  is,  that  the 
ministry  are  solemnly  bound  to  make  the  sub- 
ject of  missions  one  leading  branch  of  their 
study,  and  to  bring  the  knowledge  they  acquire 
on  it,  and  the  interest  they  personally  feel  in  it, 
practically  to  bear  on  the  people  committed 
to  their  charge.  I  allude  not  merely  to  the 
monthly  concert  of  prayer,  however  important 
that  institution  may  be — that  however  should 
command  their  diligent  attention,  and  their 
study  should  be  to  make  it  interesting  and  edi- 
fying, for   the  cause  of  missions — but,  in  as 


300  LECTURE     XII. 

much  as  comparatively  few  are  in  the  habit  of 
meeting  together  on  that  occasion,  it  becomes 
the  more  necessary  to  give  the  subject  more 
frequency  and  prominence  in  the  stated  minis- 
trations of  the  sanctuary.  This  would  oblige 
the  pastor  to  study  with  more  attention  the 
state  of  the  world  as  "  without  God  and  with- 
out hope,"  and  the  duty  and  agency  of  the 
Church  with  respect  to  its  conversion  to  God. 
And  the  result  would  be,  increased  interest  and 
exertion  on  the  part  of  both,  for  its  consumma- 
tion. This  would  produce  a  happy  reaction  at 
home,  for  it  is  an  undeniable  truth,  that  "the 
liberal  soul  shall  be  made  fat :  and  he  that  wa- 
tereth,  shall  be  watered  also  himself."  Is  it 
not  to  be  feared  that  this  subject,  so  interesting 
in  itself,  and  so  important  to  the  kingdom  of 
Christ  in  the  world,  is  far  from  receiving  merit- 
ed attention  from  the  ministry  of  reconcilia- 
tion ?  And  if  so,  is  it  not  high  time  to  wake 
up  to  it  ? 

Nor  is  the  cause  of  education  foreign  to  a 
minister's  duty.  I  speak  not  of  it  now  with 
a  reference  to  the  training^  of  a  faithful  and 
able  ministry,  but  of  education  in  general.  It 
has  appeared  from  a  former  discourse,  that  the 
subject  is  acquiring  an  interest  and  attention 
which  have  never  before  been  bestowed  upon  it, 
not  only  in   our  own   country,  but    in    many 


DUTY     OF     THE     MINISTRY.  301 

Others.  It  has  been  spoken  of  as  highly  proba- 
ble, that  these  will  increase,  until  education  shall 
become  general  in  all  lands.  It  will  diffuse 
itself  wherever  the  Gospel  shall  go,  and  many 
who  will  refuse  the  Gospel,  will  see  the  necessity 
of  it  for  themselves.  It  is  also  manifest  that 
mental  culture  will  exercise  a  prodigious  influ- 
ence on  the  condition  and  character  of  our  race, 
in  all  the  relations  which  they  sustain  to  each 
other,  and  to  God — and  consequently  that  great 
and  vital  changes  will  be  wrought  by  it  upon 
every  part  of  the  world,  partaking  in  their  na- 
ture of  the  kind  of  cultivation  which  the  human 
mind  shall  receive.  And  that  from  the  state  of 
the  human  heart,  as  depraved  and  alienated 
from  God,  these  will  uniformly  be  adverse  to 
the  glory  of  God*  and  the  best  interests  of  man, 
unless  there  be  a  large  and  early  infusion 
of  that  knowledge  which  is  able  to  make  us 
wise  unto  salvation,  through  faith  which  is  in 
Christ  Jesus.  Without  this,  the  more  highly 
the  mere  mind  of  man  is  educated,  the  more 
wise  will  he  be  to  do  evil. 

These  considerations  attach  a  fearful  interest 
to  the  subject  of  education,  and  should  induce 
Christians,  and  especially  Christian  ministers,  to 
study  it,  with  a  closeness  and  interested  atten- 
tion which  they  have  hitherto  never  bestowed 
upon  it.      The  following  facts  are  worthy  of 

26 


302  LECTURE     XII. 

serious  consideration.  The  Scriptures  are  very 
sparingly  used  in  any  of  our  public  schools — 
from  many  of  them  they  are  totally  banished. 
Multitudes  of  parents  do  not  make  up  the  defi- 
ciency, either  by  personal  attention  to  the  reli- 
gious education  of  their  children,  or  by  sending 
them  to  the  Sabbath  School,  or  by  bringing 
them  under  the  Biblical  and  Catechetical  in- 
struction provided  for  them  by  the  Church. 
With  many  parents,  in  selecting  seminaries  for 
the  education  of  their  children,  the  inquiry  is 
never  made,  what  are  its  religious  advantages, 
or  what  influence  will  it  be  likely  to  exercise  on 
the  salvation  of  my  child,  confining  their  atten- 
tion to  intellectual  culture,  or  the  acquisition  of 
mere  accomplishments.  If  these  assumptions 
are  well  founded,  it  follows,  that  multitudes 
grow  up  destitute  of  all  that  moral  and  reli- 
gious training  which  is  vital  to  usefulness,  and 
comfort  on  earth,  and  preparation  for  heaven. 
What  is  the  consequence  of  all  this?  That 
multitudes  grow  up  in  almost  total  ignorance 
of  those  things  which  belong  to  their  peace, 
and  many  of  them  with  deadly  hostility  to  the 
claims  of  the  Bible  as  a  divine  revelation,  be- 
cause those  who  have  had  the  direction  of 
their  education  have  not  seen  fit  to  have  them 
made  acquainted  either  with  the  contents  or 
the  claims  of  the  Bible.     And  if  the  more  than 


DUTY     OF     THE     MINISTRY.  303 

half  infidel  objection  has  been  made,  they  are 
too  young  to  understand  the  meaning  of  the 
Scriptures^  even  a  child  might  reply,  you  did  not 
proceed  thus  with  respect  to  other  things. 
You  obliged  me  to  study  them^  that  I  might 
learn  to  understand  them,  and  you  encouraged 
me  by  the  promise  of  ultimate  success. 

There  is  much  here  that  is  wrong,  and  needs 
rectification,  and  it  must  be  rectified,  or  we 
shall  reap  a  fearful  harvest.  And  much  can  be 
done  to  abate,  if  not  remove  the  evil,  by  the  in- 
fluence and  efforts  of  a  faithful  ministry.  Let 
them  sound  an  alarm  on  the  subject.  Let  the 
truth  with  respect  to  it  be  proclaimed  in  all  the 
pulpits  of  our  land.  Let  Christians  of  every 
name,  at  least,  be  made  to  learn  their  duty,  and 
exert  their  influence  on  the  subject,  and  a  pub- 
lic sentiment  would  be  created  which  it  would 
not  be  easy  to  resist.  The  professed  friends  of 
the  Bible  are  not  in  the  minority  in  this  land, 
and  infidels  ask  too  much  of  us  in  a  republican 
country,  where  the  majority  must  needs  govern, 
when  they  ask  us  to  banish  the  Bible  from  our 
public  schools — and  Christians  are  too  com- 
plaisant in  yielding  a  point  of  such  high  impor- 
tance upon  such  insufficient  inducements.  The 
more  education  shall  be  diflfused,  the  more  im- 
portant will  this  subject  become.  I  warn  my 
brethren  of  every  denomination  of  the   duty 


304  LECTURE    XII. 

they  owe  to  God  and  the  world  in  relation  to 
it,  and  beseech  them,  if  they  can  agree  in  no- 
thing else  that  they  agree  to  give  the  Bible  the 
place  it  should  occupy  in  the  school. 

My  brethren  will  not  contend  that  it  is  a 
matter  which  does  not  concern  them,  that  the 
whole  world,  as  it  were,  hath  run  mad  after 
mammon,  while  the  evidence  is  as  clear  as  the 
light  of  the  day,  that  the  infection  is  not  only 
general  among  those  who  do  not  profess  the 
self-denying  religion  of  Christ,  but  has  deeply 
affected  his  professed  followers;  yea,  even  the 
ministers  of  his  grace,  while  the  frowns  of  his 
providence  have  caused  the  hearts  of  men  to 
quake  within  them.  If  this  is  no  business  of 
theirs,  why  do  we  read  as  follows  in  the  holy 
oracles :  "  But  they  that  will  be  rich  fall  into 
temptation,  and  a  snare,  and  into  many  foolish 
and  hurtful  lusts,  which  drown  men  in  destruc- 
tion and  perdition.  For  the  love  of  money  is 
the  root  of  all  evil ;  which,  while  some  coveted 
after,  they  have  erred  from  the  faith,  and 
pierced  themselves  through  with  many  sor- 
rows." "  Covetousness,  which  is  idolatry." 
"  Covetousness,  let  it  not  be  named  among 
you,  as  it  becometh  saints."  "  He  that  maketh 
haste  to  be  rich,  shall  not  be  innocent."  "  A 
rich  man  shall  hardly  enter  into  the  kingdom 
of  heaven."     If  ever  there  was  a  subject  which 


DUTY     OF     THE     MINISTRY.  305 

called  upon  them  to  open  their  eyes  and  see, 
and  to  hft  up  their  voices  like  trumpets,  this  is 
the  subject,  and  this  is  the  time.  For  let  them 
be  assured  that  while  this  spirit  is  thus  raging, 
nothing  good  or  holy,  nothing  accompanying 
salvation  can  be  induced.  And  this  is  the 
more  incumbent  at  present,  because  God  is 
smiting  this  idol  with  the  right  hand  of  his 
righteousness.  Peradventure  they  will  now 
hear  the  voice  of  his  mercy,  expostulating  with 
them  in  the  Gospel.  And  if  some  of  them 
should  be  obliged  to  preach  to  themselves  on 
the  subject,  let  them  not  on  that  account  hold 
their  peace,  for  unless  this  stumbling-block  be 
removed  out  of  the  way,  the  Gospel  will  be 
powerless.  Two  master  passions  cannot  reign 
in  the  human  heart  at  the  same  time;  ''ye  can- 
not serve  God  and  mammon,"  saith  Christ. 
Let  Zion's  watchmen  wake  up  to  this  impor- 
tant subject. 

Nor  should  they  be  blind  to  the  cheap  rate 
at  which  human  life  is  held  in  our  country.  I 
need  not  recapitulate  what  has  been  said  on 
this  painful  subject  on  a  former  occasion.  You 
know  that  hundreds  of  human  lives  are  des- 
troyed every  year,  and  how  rarely  the  law  is 
brought  to  bear  on  those  who  are  guilty  of  it. 
How  shall  public  sentiment  be  rectified?  Who 
shall  speak  for  God,  and  for  the  souls  of  men, 

26* 


306  LECTURE    XII. 

which  are  wantonly  sacrificed  in  hecatombs  on 
the  altar  of  this  bloody  Moloch  ?  It  is  a  dark 
sign.  Who  will  observe  it  ?  Who  will  give 
the  people  warning  from  God,  before  he  shall 
come  out  of  his  place  to  punish  us  for  this  sin? 
God  sets  too  high  a  value  on  human  life  to  suf- 
fer it  to  be  thus  sported  with.  Let  not  the 
ministry  of  reconciliation  say,  "  this  is  no  con- 
cern of  ours."  Why  then  has  the  Lord  put 
into  their  hands,  as  his  messengei^,  that  volume 
in  which  he  says,  "  thou  shalt  not  kill  ?"  "  Who- 
so sheddeth  man's  blood,  by  man  shall  his  blood 
be  shed?"  And  why  does  he  hold  to  you  this 
language,  "  give  them  warning  from  me  ?"  "  If 
thou  give  them  not  warning  from  me,  and  they 
turn  not  from  their  iniquity ;  they  shall  perish 
in  their  iniquity ;  but  their  blood  will  I  require 
at  thy  hand."  The  press  is  silent — and  so  is 
the  law.  And  if  the  pulpit  also  be  silent,  who 
shall  sound  the  alarm?  The  ministry  has  a 
great  duty  to  perform,  however  unpleasant  it 
may  be  to  them^  and  unwelcome  to  those  who 
are  implicated.  They  will  sin,  if  they  keep 
silence. 

Mention  has  also  been  made  in  these  dis- 
courses, of  the  corruption  of  doctrine  in  the 
Christian  Church,  and  of  the  unhappy  effects 
which  have  resulted  from  it,  particularly  in  our 
own  portion  of  it — the  injuries  which  have  re- 


DUTY     OF     THE     MINISTRY.  307 

suited  from  improperly  conducted,  or  spurious 
revivals  of  religion — the  state  of  public  senti- 
ment and  feeling  with  respect  to  the  great  and 
agitating  subject  of  slavery — the  manner  in 
which  the  spirit  of  fanaticism  has  mingled  itself 
up  with  almost  all  the  important  concerns  of 
life — the  spirit  of  lawlessness  which  has  in  so 
threatening  a  manner  broken  out  in  different 
parts  of  the  land  on  a  variety  of  occasions — 
and  finally,  the  frowning  aspects  of  Divine  Pro- 
vidence towards  our  beloved  country  during 
the  last  seven  years.  These  furnish  so  many 
points  upon  which  the  intelligent  and  attentive 
observer  of  the  signs  of  the  times  should  fix 
his  eye,  with  the  desire  of  ascertaining,  as  far 
as  possible,  their  probable  causes,  studying 
them  with  a  reference  to  their  influence  on  the 
state  of  our  country  with  respect  to  its  institu- 
tions, its  general  welfare,  its  morals,  and  espe- 
cially on  the  influence  they  will  be  likely  to 
exert  on  the  Church  of  God,  and  the  interest  of 
immortal  souls — and  then  to  bring  to  bear  upon 
them  the  counsel  of  God,  as  it  may  be  elabo- 
rately gathered  from  his  revealed  will. 

That  they  have  already  produced  great  ef- 
fects, no  one,  who  will  be  at  the  pains  of  look- 
ing at  them  with  attention,  can  fail  to  discover. 
That  they  will  continue  to  produce  eflfects 
equally  great,  is  as  certain  as  that  God  exer- 


308  LECTURE    XII. 

cises  a  moral  government  over  our  world.  Can 
it  be  then,  that  his  watchmen,  whom  he  has 
placed  on  the  walls,  and  commanded  to  give 
warning  from  him  whenever  it  shall  be  necessa- 
ry, shall  neither  observe  what  is  taking  place, 
nor  speak  when  events  are  transpiring,  which 
deeply  affect,  not  only  the  great  temporal  inter- 
ests of  men  and  communities,  but  the  greater 
interests  of  God,  as  connected  with  the  preser- 
vation, purity,  peace,  and  efficiency  of  his 
Church,  the  glory  of  his  great  name,  and  the 
eternal  happiness  of  multitudes? 

And  which  of  these  "signs"  does  not  impli- 
cate these  high  interests?  It  surely  will  not 
be  pretended  that  they  are  not  involved  in 
the  maintainance  of  purity  of  doctrine  in  the 
Church  of  God,  or  the  preservation  of  order  in 
his  house.  Nor  will  it  be  said,  that  ministers 
of  the  Gospel  are  not  bound  by  the  most  solemn 
obligations  to  teach  and  defend  the  truth,  and 
labour  by  every  lawful  means  in  their  power  to 
root  up  and  destroy  error.  If  this  be  not  an 
important  part  of  their  business,  what  is? 
They  are  again  and  again  divinely  commanded 
to  do  so,  that  they  may  both  save  themselves 
and  them  that  hear  them.  Nor  is  this  a  mat- 
ter of  small  moment — for  error  eats  as  doth  a 
canker.  Few  things  are  more  injurious  to  the 
Church  and  the  world,  than  the  promulgation 


DUTY     OF     THE     MINISTRY.  309 

of  errors  in  religion,  especially  on  vital  sub- 
jects. This  induced  Paul  to  withstand  Peter  to 
his  face  at  Galatia. 

Nor  need  it  be  proved,  on  the  one  hand,  that 
revivals  of  religion,  pure  and  undefiled,  are  of 
the  last  importance,  with  respect  to  the  decla- 
rative glory  of  God,  the  enlargement  and  effi- 
ciency of  the  Church,  and  the  salvation  of  our 
sin-ruined  world;  or,  on  the  other  hand,  that 
ministers  of  the  Gospel  have  a  very  high  con- 
cern in  them.  These  things  are  as  evident  as 
the  light  of  the  sun  at  noon-day.  Let  it,  how- 
ever be  borne  in  mind,  that  the  character  and 
results  of  revivals  are  materially  affected  by 
the  means  employed  in  conducting  them.  It 
is  true,  that  no  genuine  revival  of  religion  can 
exist,  or  be  carried  on,  without  the  quickening, 
illuminating,  and  sanctifying  influences  of  the 
Holy  Spirit.  What  Paul  said  to  the  Corinthi- 
ans, is  true  of  this  subject :  "  I  have  planted, 
Apollos  watered;  but  God  gave  the  increase." 
Neither  those  w^ho  are  asleep,  nor  those  who 
are  "dead  in  trespasses  and  sins,"  obey  any 
other  voice.  Still,  they  are  very  much  modi- 
fied by  the  means  employed  in  conducting 
them,  and  the  circumstances  attending  them. 
Their  character  will,  for  instance,  be  very  dif- 
ferent, if  they  are  conducted  under  a  full  exhi- 
bition of  Gospel  truth,   connected  with  deep 


310  LECTURE    XII. 

conviction  of  sin,  and  humble  dependence  on 
the  Spirit  and  grace  of  God;  than  if  they 
should  be  induced  under  instruction  in  which 
the  distinguishing  features  of  the  Gospel  should 
be  kept  out  of  view,  especially  if  they  should 
be  connected  with  any  considerable  degree  of 
human  machinery,  and  excitement  of  the  im- 
agination or  the  feelings.  This  distinction, 
and  it  is  an  important  one,  brings  the  subject 
fairly  within  the  line  of  ministerial  duty,  and 
makes  it  incumbent  on  all  the  ministers  of  the 
Gospel  to  study  the  nature  of  revivals  of  reli- 
gion, to  watch  their  progress  with  sedulous  care, 
and  to  give  a  right  direction  to  all  those  influ- 
ences and  exercises  which  are  connected  with 
them.  For  let  them  be  assured,  that  much 
will,  under  God,  depend  upon  them.  They 
have  a  deep  interest  in  the  whole  subject. 
They  should  be  the  fast  friends,  and  active 
promoters  of  revivals.  But  let  them  see  to  it, 
that  they  present  no  strange  fire  before  the 
Lord,  nor  sow  tares  in  his  field.  Let  not  the 
lesson,  so  painfully  taught  during  late  years,  be 
lost  upon  them.  Much  remains  to  be  accom- 
plished before  the  world  shall  be  brought  into 
subjection  to  the  cross  of  Christ;  and  it  is  to 
be  eflfected  by  means  of  revivals,  more  pure, 
extensive,  and  glorious  than  have  ever  yet  been 
experienced.     This  is  known  to  the  powers  of 


DUTY    OP    THE    MINISTRY.  311 

darkness;  and  if  they  can  palsy  this  arm  of 
strength,  they  will  do  it.  If  in  any  thing  the 
ministry  should  "  be  wise  as  serpents,  and 
harmless  as  doves,"  this  is  the  very  thing. 
They  must  be  firm,  wise,  zealous. 

You  will  remember,  that  the  existence  of 
slavery  in  our  country,  and  the  state  of  pub- 
lic sentiment  with  respect  to  it,  has  been  con- 
sidered as  one  of  the  "  signs  of  the  times," 
bearing,  with  no  small  weight,  on  the  public 
interest,  and  the  prospects  of  religion  among 
us.  This  exciting  subject  can  scarcely  fail  to 
attract  the  attention  of  the  ministry  of  recon- 
ciliation, and  lead  to  serious  thoughts  as  to 
their  own  duty  with  respect  to  it.  They  will 
do  well  to  remember  the  various  relations  in 
which  it  stands.  They  must  look  at  it,  as  con- 
nected with  the  Constitution  and  laws  of  our 
land — as  it  bears  on  the  rights  and  duties  of 
all  concerned:  and  especially,  as  it  involves 
the  state  and  prospects  of  immortal  souls. 
They  must  look  at  it  in  its  various  bearings. 
They  must  ponder  deeply  their  own  situation 
as  men,  as  American  citizens,  as  Christians, 
and  as  ministers  of  the  Gospel.  I  dare  not 
say,  that  they  have  nothing  to  do  with  the  sub- 
ject, in  either  of  these  relations;  but  I  do  say, 
that  they  will  find,  in  every  view  which  they 
can  take  of  it,  much  to  perplex  and  embarrass 


312  LECTURE    XII. 

them.  They  will  find  it  difficult  to  determine 
the  line  of  duty,  if  it  involve  action.  They 
cannot,  however,  be  mistaken  in  governing 
their  own  spirits,  and  keeping  themselves  aloof 
from  any  course  of  action  which  may  jeopard 
the  peace  of  the  country,  the  safety  of  our  in- 
stitutions, the  welfare  of  the  African  race,  and 
the  unity  and  edification  of  the  Church.  Espe- 
cially should  it  be  their  duty  and  prayer,  to 
know  how  they  may  bring  the  Gospel  to  bear 
upon  them,  so  that  they  may  endure  their  lot, 
in  the  enjoyment  of  the  comforts  of  religion, 
and  the  hope  of  heaven,  until  God,  in  his  in- 
scrutable wisdom,  shall  throw  light  on  this 
dark  subject,  and  make  the  line  of  duty  plain 
before  our  face.  That  day  will  come.  In  the 
mean  time,  great  care  is  necessary,  lest  we  cast 
abroad  "  firebrands,  arrows,  and  death."  In 
relation  to  this  subject  the  saying  is  true,  "  Be- 
hold, how  great  a  matter  a  little  fire  kindleth." 
Even  a  slight  movement  of  one  imprudent  min- 
ister, may  prove  to  be  as  the  breaking  forth  of 
an  overwhelming  flood. 

"  The  spirit  of  fanaticism,"  is  another  of 
those  subjects,  at  which  a  minister  of  the  Gos- 
pel should  look  with  close  attention.  We 
have,  on  a  former  occasion,  adverted  to  its 
prevalence  and  evil  effects  in  our  own  age  and 
country.     It  has  been  shown,  to  have  efifected 


DUTY    OF    THE     MINISTRY.  313 

almost  every  department  of  business;  the  cause 
of  temperance;  the  civil  and  political  institu- 
tions of  our  country;  the  subjects  of  slavery, 
and  peace;  the  benevolent  institutions  of  the 
day;  and  finally,  the  doctrines,  order,  and  ac- 
tion of  the  Church  of  God,  particularly  with 
respect  to  revivals  of  religion,  and  this,  if  no- 
thing else,  brings  it  fairly  and  legitimately 
within  the  range  of  ministerial  care,  watchful- 
ness, and  animadversion.  The  country  and 
the  Church  have  both  felt  its  deleterious  influ- 
ence. It  has  made  a  part  of  our  own  allot- 
ment in  the  Lord's  vineyard,  like  a  forest 
through  which  a  raging  fire  has  passed;  and, 
if  its  progress  has  been  arrested,  it  is  still  far 
from  being  extinguished.  It  is  so  much  "the 
spirit  of  the  age,"  that  it  may  be  expected  to 
break  out  again,  as  often  as  any  one  of  a  hun- 
dred breezes  may  blow  upon  it.  The  mischiefs 
it  has  wrought,  is  a  sufficient  reason  to  keep  it 
under  watchful  supervision.  Every  part  of  the 
Church  has  in  it  some  of  these  combustible 
spirits,  who  are  ready,  at  every  moment,  to 
burst  out.  Ordinary  duties  and  seasons  will 
not  move  them  to  action.  They  move  not  but 
in  the  tempest.  They  act  not  but  by  explo- 
sion. The  importance  of  the  subject  will  war- 
rant the  admonition.  Watch  against  it.  Re- 
press it  in  your  own  bosom — in  all  over  whom 

27 


314  LECTURE     XII. 

you  can  exercise  an  influence,  especially  in  the 
Church.  It  is  a  spirit  of  ignorance;  and  one 
of  the  best  safeguards  against  it,  is  to  fill  the 
mind  with  sound  knowledge  and  understanding, 
in  the  fear  of  the  Lord.  It  thinks  not,  it  re- 
flects not;  it  is  empty,  and  therefore  is  carried 
about  by  every  wind  which  strikes  it.  Guard 
against  it,  in  every  thing,  and  you  will  be  sure 
to  preserve  the  Church  from  its  destructive  in- 
fluence. 

It  will  be  remembered,  that,  on  a  former  oc- 
casion, the  age  in  which  we  live  was  spoken  of 
as  having,  for  one  of  its  "  signs"  and  distin- 
guishing characteristics,  "  a  spirit  of  lawless- 
ness," which  is  restless,  uneasy,  and  discon- 
tented; which  refuses  to  be  in  subjection  to 
any  rule  or  authority,  claiming  to  make  its 
own  will  its  almost  only  rule  of  action,  while 
the  will  itself  is  governed  by  the  passions  of 
an  unsanctified  heart.  This  spirit  was  shown 
to  have  manifested  itself  in  the  bearing  and 
use  of  deadly  weapons  by  private  individuals, 
in  the  ordinary  affairs  of  life,  either,  as  is  al- 
leged, for  self-defence,  or,  for  the  assertion  of 
their  personal  rights,  or  the  redress  of  their 
personal  wrongs,  as  though  there  were  no 
shield  of  law  to  cover  every  head,  and  protect 
every  right — in  the  practice  of  duelling — and 
in  the  prevalence  of  mobs.     Now,  I  contend, 


DUTY    OF    THE    MINISTRY.  315 

that  this  state  of  things  is  fairly  subject  to  the 
animadversions  of  the  pulpit,  as  well  because  it 
involves  the  interests  of  religion,  the  glory  of 
God,  and  the  welfare  of  society,  as  because  it 
is  a  violation  of  the  precepts  of  God's  law,  and 
the  positive  injunction  which  says:  "Let  every 
soul  be  subject  unto  the  higher  powers.  For 
there  is  no  power  but  of  God;  the  powers  that 
be,  are  ordained  of  God.  Whosoever,  there- 
fore, resisteth  the  power,  resisteth  the  ordi- 
nance of  God;  and  they  that  resist,  shall  re- 
ceive to  themselves  damnation."  "  Put  them 
in  mind,"  (says  Paul  to  Titus,)  "  to  be  subject 
to  principalities  and  powers,  to  obey  magis- 
trates." Says  Peter,  "Submit  yourselves  to 
every  ordinance  of  man  for  the  Lord's  sake; 
whether  it  be  to  the  king,  as  supreme;  or  unto 
governors,  as  unto  them  that  are  sent  by  him, 
for  the  punishment  of  evil-doers,  and  for  the 
praise  of  them  that  do  well.  For  so  is  the 
will  of  God."  The  duty  of  ministers,  in  this 
respect,  cannot  be  questioned.  They  owe  it 
as  a  sacred  duty  to  God,  as  well  as  to  the 
community  in  which  they  dwell,  not  only  to 
obey  the  law  for  conscience  sake,  but  to  up- 
hold the  law,  and  maintain  the  peace  and  order 
of  society,  to  teach  men  their  duty  in  this  re- 
spect, and  to  rebuke  the  spirit  of  lawlessness 
with  all   the   authority  with   which   God   has 


316  LECTURE     XII. 

clothed  them.  And  I  apprehend,  that  they 
have  need  of  being  stirred  up  to  the  discharge 
of  this  duty.  I  fear,  the  ministry  has  often 
been  well  nigh  silent,  when  it  should  have 
spoken  out  in  the  name  of  the  Lord.  If  the 
twelve  or  fifteen  thousand  pulpits  of  our  land 
should  have  sounded  the  alarm,  much  of  the 
disorder  and  confusion  which  has  disgraced 
our  country,  and  injured  the  cause  of  free  in- 
stitutions throughout  the  world,  might  have 
been  prevented. 

In  my  last  discourse  on  "  the  signs  of  the 
times,"  occasion  was  taken  to  speak,  some- 
what at  large,  of  the  dealings  of  God  towards 
our  country,  during  the  last  seven  years — par- 
ticularly with  reference  to  adverse  providences, 
which  might  have  been  designed,  if  not  to  pun- 
ish, yet  to  rebuke  and  chasten  us,  for  our  na- 
tional sins.  Mention  was  made  of  that  awful 
scourge,  the  cholera,  in  1832 — the  number  of 
lives  lost  by  shipwrecks  on  the  ocean,  and  the 
multitude  of  disasters  which  have  occurred  on 
the  waters  of  our  country,  in  conducting  navi- 
gation by  steam  power — the  pecuniary  losses 
which  have  been  suffered  from  the  derange- 
ments of  business,  shipwrecks,  steam-boat  dis- 
asters, and  the  extensive  conflagrations  which 
have  occurred  in  several  of  our  cities — the  fail- 
ure of  crops — Indian  wars — and   the  danger 


DUTY     OF     THE     MINISTRY.  317 

which  has  existed  of  becoming  embroiled  with 
other  nations.  These  things  were  considered 
as  indications  of  the  Divine  displeasure  against 
us  for  our  national  sins,  in  failure  of  suitable 
gratitude  for  the  Lord's  goodness  to  us  as  a  na- 
tion, for  the  small  improvement  which  we  have 
made  of  our  privileges,  and  our  inordinate  de- 
sire and  eager  pursuit  of  wealth,  connected  with 
the  almost  necessary  consequences,  worldly 
mindedness,  luxury,  and  forgetfulness  of  God. 
These  are  all  signs,  hung  out  by  God,  to  be  ob- 
served, studied,  and  improved  by  men — divine 
instruction  taught  to  be  learned — a  father's  rod 
chastising  his  children — "  elder  Scripture,  writ 
by  God's  own  hand,"  teaching  lessons  of  practi- 
cal wisdom.  And  if  in  such  things  he  says  to 
all,  "  can  ye  not  discern  the  signs  of  the  times," 
what  does  he  say  to  the  watchmen  whom  he 
hath  set  on  the  walls  of  Zion  for  the  very  pur- 
pose of  observing  them. 

The  very  object  of  their  appointment  is,  to 
study  his  word,  and  observe  his  movements  to- 
wards the  children  of  men,  and  when  they  un- 
derstand them,  to  give  their  fellow  creatures 
warning  from  God,  with  all  faithfulness,  assidui- 
ty, and  affection,  so  that  they  may  learn  their 
danger,  and  betake  themselves  to  their  hiding 
place  for  safety.  This  is  one  of  the  peculiar 
duties  of  the  sacred  ministry,  which  they  can- 


318  LECTURE    XII. 

not  neglect  without  sin.  In  the  smaller  sphere 
they  act  upon  the  principle.  If  some  disas- 
trous providence  occur  in  the  congregation  to 
which  they  minister,  or  the  village  or  city 
where  they  dwell,  they  speak  out — they  lift  up 
the  voice  hke  a  trumpet.  Now,  why  is  it  that 
they  have  no  concern  with  those  providences 
which  manifestly  relate  to  the  state  and  welfare 
of  a  nation  ?  The  difference,  if  there  be  any, 
is  this ; — the  greater  the  number  to  be  affected 
by  the  dispensation,  the  deeper  should  be  their 
solicitude,  and  the  more  earnest  their  warning. 
My  apprehension  is,  that  the  ministry  has  to  a 
considerable  extent  mistaken  its  duty  in  rela- 
tion to  this  subject.  Their  observations  are 
not  sufficiently  extensive,  or  they  suppose  those 
to  whom  they  minister  to  have  no  concern  in 
the  broader  lines  of  providence,  or  they  feel 
afraid  of  becoming  implicated  in  matters  which 
do  not  belong  to  their  office.  But  what  is  there 
in  the  word  of  God,  or  in  the  dealings  of  his 
hand,  from  which  they  may  not  derive  instruc- 
tion which  may  be  useful  in  the  prosecution  of 
their  ministry  ?  It  is  admitted,  that  care,  pru- 
dence, and  often,  nice  discernment,  are  neces- 
sary to  conduct  this  part  of  their  ministry  to 
edification.  But  surely  it  can  furnish  no  ex- 
cuse for  neglecting  it ! 

It  appears,  then,  from   the  views  to  which 


DUTY     OF     THE     MINISTRY.  319 

your  attention  has  this  evening  been  directed, 
that  the  ministry  of  reconcihation  has  an  im- 
portant concern  in  observing,  studying  with 
assiduity,  care,  and  prayerfulness,  and  applying 
with  affectionate  sohcilude  and  faithfulness, 
"  the  signs  of  the  times,"  for  the  temporal  bene- 
fit and  the  spiritual  edification  of  those  who 
hear  them.  It  was  under  a  distinct  impression 
of  the  truth  and  importance  of  this  conclusion, 
that  the  course  of  instruction  on  "  the  signs  of 
the  times,"  which  has  for  so  long  a  time  en- 
gaged your  attention,  was  commenced,  has 
been  prosecuted,  and  is  this  evening  brought  to 
a  close.  It  has  been  attended  on  my  part  wdth 
some  considerable  labour,  some  portion  of  sat- 
isfaction, not  unmingled  with  anxiety,  and  not 
without  affectionate  solicitude  and  prayerful 
desire,  that  it  might,  through  the  Divine  bless- 
ing, be  made,  in  some  humble  measure,  useful 
to  the  souls  of  those  who  have  heard  it,  to  the 
interests  of  our  beloved  country,  and  to  the 
cause  of  Christ.  And,  if  the  Lord  shall  grant 
the  request,  may  it  be  to  the  honour  of  his  great 
name,  and  glorious  grace.     Amen» 


THE  END. 


